KP (Kin Pan) Chung

In September 2024, Kin Pan Chung joined the Laboratory of Plant Physiology, where he established the Cytoplasmic Genetics Group. To learn more about his research, please visit the homepage.

Academic and Professional Training

2018-2024 | Postdoctoral Researcher | Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Germany
2012-2017 | MPhil-PhD | The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Ongoing projects

Control of cytoplasmic inheritance in plants
In plant cells, DNA is housed in different subcellular compartments: the nuclear genome in the nucleus, and the cytoplasmic genomes in plastids and mitochondria. Although cytoplasmic genomes represent only a small portion of the total cellular genetic material, they are vital for survival, as they encode proteins for crucial biological processes including photosynthesis and respiration. Supported by the ERC, our research is currently centered on uncovering the mechanisms of plastid and mitochondrial inheritance.

Funding program: ERC Starting Grant, European Research Council
Period: 2025 - 2029
Project link

Plastid threshold effects: How plastid heteroplasmy shapes plant physiology
Plastids are signature organelles in plants. While chloroplasts (a specialized form of plastids) are best known for capturing sunlight to produce food, plastids have a broader role beyond photosynthesis, contributing to metabolism and stress responses. Typically, plant cells contain multiple plastids, and when some become dysfunctional, they send signals to activate cellular processes that mitigate stress. However, how a cell coordinates a diverse plastid population with varying functional states remains poorly understood. In this project, we will use molecular biology and microscopy to explore the underlying regulatory processes and examine how dysfunctional plastids impact plant growth and development.

Funding program: NWO Talent Programme Vidi, Dutch Research Council
Period: 2026 - 2031
Project link