Hon Lun Wong

Dr. Hon Lun Wong is a Researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, affiliated with the Department of Biogeochemistry under Prof. Marcel Kuypers. His research focuses on metagenomics and metatranscriptomics of marine microorganisms, particularly nitrogen-fixing organisms and microbial communities in extreme environments like Shark Bay's hypersaline microbial mats. He investigates biogeochemical processes, microbial adaptation mechanisms, and the functional complexity of microbial ecosystems. His work integrates genomic, transcriptomic, and ecological approaches to understand microbial roles in global element cycles and climate resilience.

Key research interests include microbial dark matter, extremophile biology, and the functional dynamics of microbial mats in hypersaline and cold desert ecosystems. His studies on Shark Bay stromatolites and Blue Holes reveal insights into ancient microbial systems and their modern ecological significance. Recent work highlights the contributions of microbial chemosynthesis and adaptation strategies to carbon cycling in diverse environments.

Dr. Wong collaborates on projects exploring extremophilic microbes' metabolic innovations, including acid-tolerant phyla and novel biosynthetic pathways. His studies also address climate change impacts on microbial ecosystems, emphasizing their vulnerability and resilience mechanisms. He is part of interdisciplinary teams advancing our understanding of microbial diversity and their roles in Earth's biogeochemical cycles.