Som Chatterjee

Dr. Som Chatterjee is an Associate Professor at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry's Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, based at the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology (IMET). His research focuses on Staphylococcus aureus pathogenesis, particularly β-lactam antibiotic resistance through novel mechanisms involving PBP4, serine-threonine kinase signaling, and cyclic-di-AMP regulation. He has held positions at NIH, UCSF, and UMB, and is funded by NIH and University System of Maryland grants.

• Education:
  • PhD, 2006: Institute for Medical Microbiology, Justus-Liebig University, Germany
  • MS, 2001: Bio-physics & Molecular Biology, University of Kolkata, India
  • BS, 1999: Zoology, Dinabandhu Andrews College, India

Dr. Chatterjee's research on Staphylococcus aureus explores non-canonical resistance pathways, bacterial cell signaling, and the interplay between resistance and virulence. His articles highlight PBP4's role in resistance, structural insights into drug-protein interactions, and cyclic-di-AMP's impact on tolerance. Collaborations span institutions like NIH, UCSF, and IMET, with work featured in Nature and mBio.

Scientific recognitions include the 2019 IMET Annual Report Feature, 2007 ASM Student Travel Grant, and 2006 PhD with Distinction. His lab includes researchers like Raymond Poon (part-time MEES Master’s student), Nidhi Satishkumar (PhD, now postdoc), and Vedangi Hayatnagarkar (PhD candidate). Current projects aim to re-sensitize resistant strains to β-lactams via nano-bodies and other innovative strategies.