Dr. Dennis A. Romero
Laureate, IFF Health & Biosciences
Dennis Romero, Ph.D, Laureate, IFF Health & Biosciences, joined the company in 1994 as a molecular microbiologist in Madison, Wisconsin. As an R&D Group Leader, he oversaw the fundamental and applied research related to Lactic Acid Bacteria used as dairy starter cultures, probiotics and food protection. This includes the setting of R&D direction and project portfolios, establishing industrial networks and research collaborations, developing and commercializing products, and serving as a scientific subject matter expert and mentor.
Notable Achievements
Education
Dr. Romero holds a Bachelors in Microbiology and Masters in Food Science and Nutrition from the University of Minnesota, United States before achieving his Ph.D. in Microbiology from North Carolina State University. His research has focused on the genetics and molecular biology of lactic acid bacteria for their applications in fermented foods.
Accolades
- Creation and commercialization of starter culture systems that include Isogenic DVI, CHOOZIT™ Quick/Swift, 1000-series, MC / MCT
- Implementation of molecular biology and genomics capabilities within R&D
- Collaboration with North Carolina State University to develop molecular biology for probiotic strain Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM
- Establishment of collaboration with Université Laval to study phage-host interactions.
His academic and industry contributions have been recognized through multiple patents, publications in peer-reviewed journals, and invited seminars.
Select Publications, Mentions & Affiliations
- Leprince, A., J. Lefrançois, A.M. Millen, D. Magill, P. Horvath, D.A. Romero, G.M Rousseau, S. Moineau. 2025. Strengthening phage resistance of Streptococcus thermophilus by leveraging complementary defense systems. Nature Comms 16:7142. doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62408-3.
- Romero, D.A., D. Magill, A.M. Millen, P. Horvath, C. Fremaux. 2020. Dairy lactococcal and streptococcal phage-host interactions: an industrial perspective in an evolving phage landscape. FEMS Microbiology Reviews, doi.org/10.1093/femsre/fuaa048.
- Millen, A., J.E. Samson, D. Tremblay, A.H. Magadan, G.M. Rousseau, S. Moineau, D.A. Romero. 2018. Lactococcus lactis type III-A CRISPR-Cas system cleaves bacteriophage RNA. RNA Biol. doi.org/10.1080/15476286.2018.1502589.
- Millen, A.M., P. Horvath, P. Boyaval, and D.A. Romero. 2012. Mobile CRISPR/Cas-Mediated Bacteriophage Resistance in Lactococcus lactis, PLOS One 7, e51663.
- Garneau, J.E., M.-E. Dupuis, M. Villion, D.A. Romero, R. Barrangou, P. Boyaval, C. Fremaux, P. Horvath, A.H. Magadán and S. Moineau. 2010. The CRISPR/Cas bacterial immune system cleaves bacteriophage and plasmid DNA. Nature 468: 67-71.
- Barrangou, R., C. Fremaux, H. Deveau, M. Richards, P. Boyaval, S. Moineau, D.A. Romero, and P. Horvath,. 2007. CRISPR provides acquired resistance against viruses in prokaryotes. Science 315: 1709-1712.
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