Daniel Stein

Dr. Daniel Stein is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Maryland. His research focuses on Neisserial biology, particularly the genetic mechanisms of Neisseria gonorrhoeae pathogenesis. He is affiliated with the Bioinformatics, Bioinformatics & Genetics (CBBG) and Molecular & Cellular Biology (MOCB) programs. Dr. Stein earned his Ph.D. from the University of Rochester in 1981.

His work investigates how gonococcal surface molecules like opacity proteins (Opa) and lipooligosaccharide (LOS) contribute to infection and asymptomatic colonization. Notably, he demonstrated that Opa expression correlates with reduced bacterial aggregation and altered disease outcomes. He also studies neisserial phage biology and its role in virulence. Dr. Stein co-founded SD Nanosciences, a company developing surfactant vesicle-based vaccines and drug delivery systems.

Recent studies include analyzing gonococcal interactions with cervical epithelia, antibiotic resistance mechanisms, and the role of IL-10 in promoting colonization. His research integrates molecular genetics, immunology, and bioinformatics to understand bacterial pathogenesis and develop novel therapeutic strategies.