Daniel Nelson

Dr. Daniel Nelson is a Professor in the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Maryland, holding a joint appointment with the Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR). He splits his time between College Park and Rockville campuses, leading research on bacteriophage-derived antimicrobial therapeutics targeting human and animal pathogens.

Dr. Nelson's educational background includes:

• Postdoctoral Research in Bacterial Pathogenesis, Rockefeller University (1999-2004)
• Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens (1999)
• M.B.A., Zicklin School of Business, City University of New York (2003)
• B.S. in Biology, University of California, Irvine (1993)

His research focuses on harnessing bacteriophage endolysins as alternatives to antibiotics through structural studies, bioengineering, and therapeutic development. Key areas include combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria (MRSA, Streptococcus), disrupting biofilms, and creating diagnostic tools using phage proteins. His interdisciplinary approach integrates microbiology, structural biology, and bioengineering to address critical infectious disease challenges.

Recent publications (2019-2024) demonstrate consistent innovation in endolysin engineering for enhanced activity, expanded host range, and novel delivery methods. Work spans human pathogens (Streptococcus, Staphylococcus) and veterinary applications (bovine mastitis, fish infections), with emerging focus on mRNA-based endolysin delivery and immunotherapeutic platforms like InstaVax.

Dr. Nelson leads an active research laboratory funded by external grants, training graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in interdisciplinary techniques. His lab employs structural biology, microbiology, and bioengineering approaches to advance translational applications from bench to clinical settings.

The Nelson laboratory, physically located at IBBR in Rockville, operates as a multidisciplinary team collaborating across veterinary and human medicine. Current projects include thermodynamic engineering of endolysins, development of implant coatings, and non-invasive bacterial ablation using functionalized nanoparticles.