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Derek Wilson Cain

Associate Professor in Medicine
Medicine, Duke Human Vaccine Institute
Box 103020, Durham, NC 27710
2 Genome Ct - Rm 4083 MSRBII, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


My research focuses on the interactions of T cells and B cells during infection or following vaccination. I am particularly interested in the inter- and intracellular events that take place within germinal centers, the anatomic site of antibody evolution during an immune response.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Associate Professor in Medicine · 2021 - Present Medicine, Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Medicine
Member of the Duke Human Vaccine Institute · 2016 - Present Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Institutes and Centers

Recent Publications


A neutralizing human antibody induces movement of the HCoV-229E receptor binding domain.

Journal Article Commun Biol · December 31, 2025 HCoV-229E is an endemic Alphacoronavirus that typically causes common cold-like disease in most healthy adults, but can also cause severe respiratory disease in the very young and the elderly. Although the virus was discovered over sixty years ago and unde ... Full text Link to item Cite

Nonstabilized SARS-CoV-2 spike mRNA vaccination induces broadly neutralizing antibodies in nonhuman primates.

Journal Article Sci Transl Med · June 11, 2025 Immunization with messenger RNA (mRNA) or viral vectors encoding spike protein with diproline substitutions (S-2P) were shown to provide protective immunity, curbing the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in light of the emergence of severe acute respiratory synd ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


External Quality Assurance Program Oversight Laboratory (EQAPOL)

ResearchInvestigator · Awarded by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2024 - 2031

SOSIP-NP/mRNA combination for novel preventive and therapeutic HIV-1 vaccine regimens

ResearchInvestigator · Awarded by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2022 - 2027

CIVICs C Option 16 Equitable Adjustment

ResearchInvestigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2019 - 2026

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Education, Training & Certifications


Duke University · 2010 Ph.D.