Albert Keung

Albert Keung is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at North Carolina State University, holding titles of University Faculty Scholar and Goodnight Distinguished Scholar. His research integrates engineering, biology, and physics to develop molecular technologies for understanding and manipulating chromatin dynamics. Key focuses include synthetic biology platforms for epigenetic control, stem cell engineering for neuroepigenetic disorders, and DNA-based information storage systems.

His lab develops tools to study chromatin biochemistry and 3D structure, enabling insights into disease mechanisms and applications like antibody production and cancer therapies. Notable achievements include the 2023 Langer Prize for innovations in DNA data storage and pioneering work on epigenetic editing systems. The Keung Lab also explores neuroepigenetic models using human cerebral organoids and synthetic biology approaches to decode gene regulation.

Research interests span from foundational epigenetic mechanisms to applied technologies, with over 50 peer-reviewed articles. His work bridges fundamental science and translational applications, addressing challenges in biotechnology, medicine, and data storage. Current projects emphasize scalable DNA storage systems, synthetic epigenetic circuits, and mechanistic studies of UBE3A-related disorders.

Academic contributions include an NSF CAREER Award (2022) and leadership in the Synthetic Biology community. The lab collaborates across disciplines, leveraging engineering principles to solve complex biological problems. Education and training initiatives emphasize training the next generation of bioengineers through interdisciplinary research programs.