David A. Hunstad, M.D.

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Molecular Microbiology

Division of Infectious Diseases
Pathobiology Research Unit
Hunstad Research Lab

Dr. Hunstad evaluates pediatric patients with a variety of infectious diseases at St. Louis Children's Hospital. In his research laboratory in the McDonnell Pediatric Research Building, he studies the interactions of Gram-negative bacteria with their hosts. He is particularly interested in mechanisms by which Gram-negative pathogens interfere with host immune responses in order to establish infection. Related projects in the laboratory are aimed at determining how bacteria assemble virulence factors on their surfaces. In particular, the lab studies the function of certain bacterial chaperone proteins. His goal is to develop new agents that will be useful in the prevention and treatment of Gram-negative bacterial infections of the urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, and central nervous system.