Brian F. Volkman

Dr. Brian F. Volkman is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Director of the Program in Chemical Biology at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He holds a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley (1994) and a BS from Butler University (1989). His postdoctoral training was at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Research focuses on structural biology of immunological signaling molecules, leveraging NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Key areas include chemokine-receptor interactions, protein folding (e.g., 'metamorphic' proteins), and drug discovery targeting cancer and psoriasis. His lab has developed patented compounds and pioneered hybrid computational/NMR approaches to identify small molecule inhibitors.

Recent work explores chemokine roles in cancer progression, antimicrobial activity, and receptor-antagonist dynamics. Collaborations bridge basic science and clinical applications, with a focus on translating discoveries into preclinical studies.

Laboratory members include Chris Veldkamp, Francis Peterson, Rob Tyler, and others. Research is supported by grants emphasizing translational drug development and structural proteomics.