Professor LAM Hon Ming

Address

(Office): Room E409, Science Centre East Block
(Lab): Room 298, Science Centre South Block

 People HML
 

Phone

(Office): (852) 3943 6336
(Lab): (852) 3943 8132
Fax (852) 3943 6336
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web http://137.189.43.137:8080/Publications/HML-publications.htm
 

 


Education

1992 Ph.D. Northwestern University
1987 M. Phil. The Chinese University of Hong Kong
1985 B. Sc. The Chinese University of Hong Kong


Position

  • Choh-Ming Li Professor of Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, CUHK
  • Director, Molecular Biotechnology Program, CUHK
  • Director, Center for Soybean Research, CUHK
  • Director, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology (CUHK)
  • Director, RGC-AoE Center for Genomic Studies on Plant-Environment Interaction for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security (CUHK)
  • Associate Director, Institute of Plant Molecular Biology & Agricultural Biotechnology, CUHK
  • Student Hostel Warden, Daisy Li Hall, New Asia College, CUHK


Research Interests

  • Climate-smart and sustainable agriculture
  • Plant and agricultural biotechnology
  • Genomic studies on crop-environment interaction 

 
Recent and Representative Publications

  • Wang, X. Bao, S. Chen, H. Zhong, Y. Liu, L. Zhang, Y. Xia, F. Kragler, M. Luo, X. Li, H.-M. Lam, S. Zhang. 2021. AtHDA6 functions as an H3K18ac eraser to maintain pericentromeric CHG methylation in Arabidopsis thaliana. Nucl. Acids. Res. (accepted)
  • M. Huang, M.-W. Li, H.-M. Lam. 2021. How non-coding open chromatin regions shape soybean domestication. Trends Plant Sci. 26:876-878.
  • X. Wang, M.-W. Li, F.-L. Wong, C.-Y. Luk, C.Y.-L. Chung, W.-S. Yung, Z. Wang, M. Xie, S. Song, G. Chung, T.-F. Chan, H.-M. Lam. 2021. Increased copy number of Gibberellin 2-oxidase 8 genes reduced trailing growth and shoot length during soybean domestication. Plant J. (accepted)
  • K. Fan, J. Wong-Bajracharya, X. Lin, M. Ni, Y.-S. Ku, M.-W. Li, C. Tian, T.-F. Chan, H.-M. Lam. 2021. Differentially expressed microRNAs that target functional genes in mature soybean nodules. Plant Genome 14:e20103.
  • M. Huang, L. Zhang, L. Zhou, M. Wang, W.-S. Yung, Z. Wang, S. Duan, Z. Xiao, Q. Wang, X. Wang, M.-W. Li, H.-M. Lam. 2021. An expedient survey and characterization of the soybean JAGGED 1 (GmJAG1) transcription factor binding preference in the soybean genome by modified ChIPmentation on soybean protoplasts. Genomics 113:344-355.
  • Q. Wang, W.-S. Yung, Z. Wang, H.-M. Lam. 2020. The histone modification H3K4me3 marks functional genes in soybean nodules. Genomics 112:5282-5294.
  • S. Zhang, R. Runsheng, L. Zhang, S. Chen, M. Xie, L.Yang, Y. Xia, C. Foyer, Z. Zhao, H.-M. Lam. 2020. New insights into Arabidopsis transcriptome complexity revealed by direct sequencing of native RNAs. Nucleic Acids Res. 48:7700-7711.
  • Y.-S. Ku, M. Ni, N.B. Muñoz, Z. Xiao, P. Chen, M.-W. Li, M.-Y. Cheung, M. Xie, H.-M. Lam. 2020. GmABAS1 from soybean is a 1R-subtype MYB transcriptional repressor that regulates stomatal aperture under ABA treatment. J. Exp. Bot. 71:2970-2981.
  • C.A. Contador, S.-K. Lo, S.H.J. Chan, H-M. Lam. 2020. Metabolic analyses of nitrogen fixation in the soybean micro-symbiont Sinorhizobium fredii using constraint-based modeling. mSystems 5:e00516-19.
  • M. Xie, C.Y.-L. Chung, M.-W. Li, F.-L. Wong, X. Wang, A. Liu, Z. Wang, A.K.-Y. Leung, T.-H. Wong, S.-W. Tong, Z. Xiao, K. Fan, M.-S. Ng, X. Qi, L. Yang, T. Deng, L. He, L. Chen, A. Fu, Q. Dong, J. He, G. Chung, S. Isobe, T. Tanabata, B. Valliyodan, H.T. Nguyen, S.B. Cannon, C.H. Foyer, T.-F. Chan, H.-M. Lam.  2019. A reference-grade wild soybean genome. Nat. Commun. 10:1216.
  • C. Foyer, H.M. Lam, H. Nguyen, K. Siddique, R. Varshney, T. Colmer, W. Cowling, H. Bramley, T. Mori, J. Hodgson, J. Cooper, T. Miller, K. Kunert, B. Vorster, C. Cullis, J. Ozga, M. Wahlqvist, Y. Liang, H. Shou, K. Shi, J. Yu, N. Fodor, B. Kaiser, F.-L. Wong, B. Valliyodan, M. Considine. 2016. Neglecting legumes has compromised global food and nutritional security. Nat. Plants 2:16112
  • M.-Y. Cheung, X. Li, R. Miao, Y.-H. Fong, K.-P. Li, Y.-L. Yung, M.-H. Yu, K.-B. Wong, Z. Chen, H.-M. Lam. 2016. ATP binding by the P-loop NTPase OsYchF1 (an unconventional G protein) contributes to biotic but not abiotic stress responses. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA  113:2648-53.
  • X. Qi, M.-W. Li, M. Xie, X. Liu, M. Ni, G. Shao, C. Song, A.K.-Y. Yim, Y. Tao, F.-L. Wong, S. Isobe, C.-F. Wong, K.-S. Wong, C. Xu, C. Li, Y. Wang, R. Guan, F. Sun, G. Fan, Z. Xiao, F. Zhou, T.-H. Phang, X. Liu, S.-W. Tong, T.-F. Chan, S.-M. Yiu, S. Tabata. J. Wang, X. Xu, H.-M. Lam. 2014. Identification of a novel salt tolerance gene in wild soybean by whole-genome sequencing. Nat. Commun. 5:4340
  • H.-M. Lam, J. Remais, M.-C. Fung, L. Xu, S.S.-M. Sun. 2013. Food supply and food safety issues in China. Lancet 381:2044-2053.
  • H.-M. Lam, X. Xu, X. Liu, W. Chen, G. Yang, F.-L. Wong, M.-W. Li, W. He, N. Qin, B. Wang, J. Li, M. Jian, J. Wang, G. Shao, J. Wang, S.S.-M. Sun, and G. Zhang. 2010. Resequencing of 31 wild and cultivated soybean genomes identifies patterns of genetic diversity and selection. Nat. Genet. 42:1053-1059.


Research Grants

  • 2021-2023, GRF, Differential functions in RNA splicing by heat-responsive isoforms of PRP4KA and PRP4KB in Arabidopsis thaliana, HK$1,125,732
  • 2019-2020, ENSURE, Global Food Security, Climate Change and Resilience: An International Perspective, HK$1,000,000
  • 2018-2019, "港澳台科技創新合作" 重點專項 國家重點研發計劃, RMB$980,000
  • 2018-2020, GRF, Possible roles of a plant ribosome-associated protein on translational regulation, $1,034,257
  • 2017-2025, RGC-AoE, Center for Genomic Studies on Plant-Environment Interaction for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security, $81,156,000
  • 2017-2019, GRF, Characterization of soybean multidrug and toxin extrusion (MATE) transporters that regulate the accumulation of flavonoid phenolic metabolites in soybean seeds, $1,181,200
  • 2016-2018, GRF, Site-directed mutagenesis to delineate the interactions of a plant regulator which loves to interact, $1,306,718
  • 2015-2017, GRF, The roles of the soybean Rj2/Rfg1 protein in the interaction with the rhizobial bacterium Sinorhizobium fredii, $878,400
  • 2013-2016, GRF, Functional dissection of a novel C2-domain protein that regulates an unconventional G-protein in plants, $1,125,842
  • 2012-2015, CRF, Genomic and molecular studies of a salinity tolerance locus in the wild soybean genome, $8,035,050
  • 2011-2013, GRF, Using a unique recombinant inbred population and genomic sequencing information to map loci controlling important agronomic traits of soybean, $2,070,000
  • 2010-2011, GRF, The functional roles of GmSAL1 in enhancing stress tolerance via regulating the basal cytosolic calcium level, $869,124
  • 2009-2010, GRF, The roles of a novel G-protein binding protein in plant defense response, $990,465
  • 2004-2007, CERG, Characterization and functional analysis of a novel NaCl-inducible purple acid phosphatase-like gene, $939,968
  • 2002-2005, CERG, Gene regulation in the signal transduction pathways of broad-spectrum bacterial blight resistance loci in rice, $876,000
  • 2000-2003, CERG, Sink-source relationship during seed development in Arabidopsis thaliana– molecular regulation of aspartate family amino acids, $1,062,600
  • 1999-2003, Molecular and biochemical characterization of a salt-tolerant soybean variety, $709,500
  • 1998-2002, CERG, Asparagine synthetase genes: their roles in plant growth and development, $1,032,000
  • 1997-1999, Ho Sin Hang Education Endowment Fund, Reclaiming the salty lands for agriculture, $250,000


Patents

U.S. Patents (Granted)

  1. Plant nitrogen regulatory P-PII polypeptides; Patent number: 6,822,079 (2004)
  2. Plant nitrogen regulatory P-PII genes; Patent number: 6,177,275 (2001)
  3. Plant glutamate receptors; Patent number: 5,824,867 (1998); 5,981,703 (1999); 5,959,174 (1999); 6,451,546 (2002)
  4. Method to alleviate abiotic stress in plants by expression of mitochondrial-targeted purple acid phosphatase; (Patent No. 7,939,712B2) (May 10, 2011)
  5. Abiotic stress tolerance conferred by J domains containing proteins (Patent No. 7,939,711B2) (May 10, 2011)
  6. Use of GmRD22-like genes to protect against abiotic stress (Patent No. 7,994,390B2) (August 9, 2011)
  7. Methods to enhance plant trauma resistance (Patent No. 7,994,392B2) (August 9, 2011)
  8. Methods to improve plant resistance to infections (Patent No. 7,994,393B2) (August 9, 2011)

China Patents (Granted)

  1. Transgenic plant products comprising human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and method for preparing the same (Patent No. CN1281759C) (Feb 2007)
  2. Methods to improve plant resistance to infections (Patent No. CN101686646B) (May 23, 2012)
  3. Gmrd22-like genes and use thereof to protect against abiotic stress (Patent No. CN101548013B) (March 21, 2012) 
  4. Method to alleviate abiotic stress in plants by expression of mitochondrial-targeted purple acid phosphatase (Patent No. CN101541165B) (May 15, 2013)
  5. Abiotic stress tolerance conferred by J-domain-containing proteins (Patent No. CN101553569B) (June 20, 2013) 
  6. Methods to enhance plant trauma resistance (Patent No. CN101686642B) (January 1, 2014)

Hong Kong Patents (Granted)

  1. Transgenic plant products comprising human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and method for preparing the same; Patent number 1071908 (August 2007)
  2. Use of GmRD22-like genes to protect against abiotic stress (Patent No. 1137776) (December 2, 2012) 
  3. Methods to improve plant resistance to infections (Patent No. 1140910) (March 1, 2013)
  4. Method to alleviate abiotic stress in plants (Patent No. HK1132878) (September 19, 2013) 
  5. Abiotic stress tolerance conferred by J-domain-containing proteins (Patent No. HK1138033) (March 14, 2014)

 
Awards

  • 2012-2013, & 2020-2021, Research Excellence Award, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
  • 2017, Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Award 2016 (Science and Technology; Second Class), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China: Searching Functional Gene for Crop Improvement (1st Awardee)
  • 2016-2021, Outstanding Fellow of the Faculty of Science
  • 2007, Second-Class Award for Science and Technology, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China: Establishment and Large Scale Application of an Efficient and Safe System for Transgenic Rice Technology. (6th Awardee)
  • 2001, Second-Class Award for Scientific and Technological Achievements, Beijing City, People's Republic of China: Research and Application of Salt Tolerance Study in Soybean. (4th Awardee)
  • 1999-2000 &2005-2006, Exemplary Teaching Award, Faculty of Science, CUHK
  • 1998, Award for Excellence in Presentation, 6th Pacific Rim Biotechnology Conference and BioExpo '98
  • 1992, Raymond W. Sarber Award, American Society for Microbiology


Professional Activities

Visiting Professorships

  • 2006-present, Visiting Professor (Institute of Plant Sciences, Jilin University, China)
  • 2000-present, Visiting Research Professor (Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China)
  • 2012-present, Visiting Research Professor (Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China)
  • 2011-present, Visiting Research Professor (Institute of Economic Crops, Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China)

Editorial Boards

  • 2021-present, CABI A&B Journal (Associate Editor)
  • 2021-2023, The Plant Genome (Associate Editor)
  • 2014-present, PLOS ONE (Academic Editor)
  • 2013-present, The Crop Journal (Associate Editor)
  • 2010-present, Soybean Science (Editorial Board)

Professional Services

  • 2017 – present, Director, State Kay Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)
  • 2012 – present, Director, Center for Soybean Research, CUHK
  • 2018 – present, Member, Research Committee, CUHK
  • 2019 – present, Member, Management Committee of Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, CUHK
  • 2020 – 2023, Member of the Academic Committee, Key Laboratory of Germplasm Resources Conservation and Utilization, Guangdong Province
  • 2012 – present, Member of the Academic Committee, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, China Agricultural University
  • 2018 – present, Member of the Academic Committee, State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A & F University
  • 2019 – present, Member, Biology and Medicine Panel (Joint Research Scheme), Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong
  • 2016 – 2022, Member of the Advisory Committee, Sustained Fund for Development of Agriculture, Food and Health Bureau, Government of HKSAR
  • 2017 – present, Chairperson, Genetically Modified Organisms (Control of Release) Expert Group, Department of Fishery, Agriculture and Conservation, Government of HKSAR
  • 2019 – 2023, MT Incu-Bio Assessment Panel, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
  • 2020 – 2022, Committee Member of Committee, Assistance Programme to Improve the Living Environment of Low-income Subdivided Unit Households (funded by the Community Care Fund), The Hong Kong Council of Social Service

Major Services in Education

  • 2020 – present, member, CDC Standing Committee on STEM Education
  • 2019 – 2023, Associte Director, Guangdong Provincial College Plant Production Professional Teaching Steering Committee
  • 2019 – present, Member, Steering Committee for Internationalization of Higher Education and Engagement of Mainland China, CUHK
  • 2019 – present, School Manager, Delia Memorial School (Hip Wo)
  • 2019 – present, School Manager, Delia Memorial School (Broadway)
  • 2015 – present, School Manager, Queen Elizabeth School Old Students’ Association Tong Kwok Wah Secondary School