Terry Roemer
Terry is a Chemical Biologist employing unique genomics and phenotypic screening principles to drive antimicrobial discovery. Authentic industrial experience to lead and motivate small, focused, research teams as well as large multifunctional research groups to conduct innovative translational science in the fields of microbial genomics and antimicrobial drug discovery. Drawing from a genetics, genomics, and chemical biology perspective, he has contributed broadly to antimicrobial target discovery and validation as well as cognate inhibitor and lead identification, mechanistic characterization as well as antimicrobial development spanning diverse synthetic small molecules and natural products. As co-Founder of Mycota Biosciences , he led the discovery of >800 Candida albicans and ~200 Aspergillus fumigatus drug targets. He pioneered an innovative C. albicans whole genome screening platform to successfully identify diverse target-selective synthetic and natural product antifungal leads. At Merck, over a 13 year period, he served as Distinguished Scientist and Co-chair of the MRL Antimicrobial Early Discovery Unit, applying creative genetic, genomic, chemical biology, and phenotypic screening strategies to identify novel targets and cognate inhibitors suitable as antibiotic leads to treat serious drug resistant gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial infections. Special emphasis pathogens included Staphylococcus aureus, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Escherichia coli and multiple efficacious target-selective inhibitors have resulted from this work and published in Nature, Science Translational Medicine, PNAS, Nature Chemical Biology, ACS Chemical Biology, Cell Chemical Biology, PLoS Pathogens and other leading journals. He has published over 70 peer-reviewed papers, reviews, and book chapters (H-index = 36; total citations > 4,675) as well as numerous patents. Presently, he serves as President, Founder, and CSO of Prokaryotics Inc; a newly formed company dedicated to the discovery and development of entirely novel antibacterial agents to treat life-threatening drug-resistant bacterial infections.
