Overview
Dr. Mihai Azoitei obtained a BA in biochemistry and computer science from Middlebury College (Middlebury, Vermont) and a PhD in biochemistry from the University of Washington (Seattle, WA), where he worked in the group of Dr. William Schief. He then completed postdoctoral studies in the lab of Dr. Klaus Hahn in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before joining Duke University and the Duke Human Vaccine Institute as an assistant professor in 2018.
Proteins are the building blocks of life and manipulating their function holds immense promise to uncover fundamental biological processes and develop novel therapeutics. The Azoitei group aims to harness recent advances in protein engineering methods to develop vaccines against pathogens that seriously threaten human health.
Proteins are the building blocks of life and manipulating their function holds immense promise to uncover fundamental biological processes and develop novel therapeutics. The Azoitei group aims to harness recent advances in protein engineering methods to develop vaccines against pathogens that seriously threaten human health.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Associate Professor of Cell Biology
·
2024 - Present
Cell Biology,
Basic Science Departments
Assistant Professor of Pathology
·
2021 - Present
Pathology,
Clinical Science Departments
Member of the Duke Human Vaccine Institute
·
2018 - Present
Duke Human Vaccine Institute,
Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
An engineered immunogen activates diverse HIV broadly neutralizing antibody precursors and promotes acquisition of improbable mutations.
Journal Article Sci Transl Med · January 8, 2025 Elicitation of HIV broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) by vaccination first requires the activation of diverse precursors, followed by successive boosts that guide these responses to enhanced breadth through the acquisition of somatic mutations. Becaus ... Full text Link to item CiteEngineered immunogens to elicit antibodies against conserved coronavirus epitopes.
Journal Article Nat Commun · November 30, 2023 Immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 primarily target the receptor binding domain of the spike protein, which continually mutates to escape acquired immunity. Other regions in the spike S2 subunit, such as the stem helix and the segment encompassing residues 815 ... Full text Link to item CiteIdentification of CDRH3 loops in the B cell receptor repertoire that can be engaged by candidate immunogens.
Journal Article PLoS Pathog · May 2023 A major goal for the development of vaccines against rapidly mutating viruses, such as influenza or HIV, is to elicit antibodies with broad neutralization capacity. However, B cell precursors capable of maturing into broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Harnessing B Cells after Stem Cell Transplant to Produce Novel CAR-Ts
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2027SOSIP-NP/mRNA combination for novel preventive and therapeutic HIV-1 vaccine regimens
ResearchInvestigator · Awarded by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2022 - 2027High throughput platform to engineer light-controlled inhibitors against Guanine Exchange Factors of the Dbl Family
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2022 - 2026View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
University of Washington ·
2011
Ph.D.