Research Interests
The alarming increase in multidrug‐resistant bacteria, the emergence of new pathogens, and the need to reduce/eliminate antimicrobial use in agricultural products have spurred new antimicrobial discovery initiatives. Researchers are actively seeking to identify and develop alternative antimicrobial therapeutics that are not susceptible to traditional antibiotic resistance mechanisms.
At the forefront of antimicrobial discovery, the Nelson laboratory specializes in developing a class of bacteriophage-derived peptidoglycan hydrolase enzymes called endolysins. We apply these enzymes to bacterial pathogens, which act on contact to rapidly degrade the bacterial cell wall of both animal and human pathogens, resulting in osmotic lysis of the membrane and bacterial cell death.
The Nelson lab focuses on endolysins that are effective against Bacillus anthracis, Clostridioides difficile, Gardnerella vaginalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Streptococcus pyogenes, all of which cause human diseases. For animal health, we have endolysins effective against Streptococcus equi (equine strangles disease), Streptococcus suis (meningitis and other infections in pigs), Streptococcus uberis (bovine mastitis), and Staphylococcus aureus (bovine mastitis). Finally, we also have projects in the energy sector, focusing on endolysins effective against Lactobacillus fermentum, which is a contaminant in bioethanol fermentation.
Dr. Nelson possesses a unique ability to bridge disciplines and effectively incorporate cell biology, microbiology, and structural biology with bioengineering approaches to advance endolysin research and discovery. His group employs both rational methods (computational design or chimeragenesis) and random methods (directed evolution) to generate endolysins with more desirable attributes. These attributes include higher activity, an expanded host range, a more favorable thermostability profile, or the ability to enter human cells to kill intracellular pathogens. The bioengineering approaches employed by the group are expected to result in the development of next-generation endolysins with enhanced properties.
Education
- MBA, Zicklin School of Business, Baruch College, City University of New York, 2003
- Ph.D., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, 1999
- B.S., Biology, University of California, Irvine, 1993
Professional Appointments
- 2021-Pres. Professor, joint appointment with Veterinary Medicine and IBBR
- 2014-2021 Associate Professor, joint appointment with Veterinary Medicine and IBBR
- 2012-Pres. Affiliate Professor, Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics
- 2010-Pres. Guest Researcher, National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST)
- 2010-2014 Assistant Professor, joint appointment with Veterinary Medicine and IBBR
- 2007-2010 Assistant Professor, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute (UMBI)
*UMBI reorganized as the Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR) and merged with the University of Maryland, College Park, in 2010 - 2005-2007 Research Assistant Professor, Laboratory of Bacterial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Rockefeller University
- 1999-2004 Postdoctoral Fellow, Laboratory of Bacterial Pathogenesis and Immunology,
Rockefeller University (Mentor: Vincent A. Fischetti)
