Francis C. Peterson

Francis C. Peterson is an Associate Professor and Structural Biology Facility Manager in the Department of Biochemistry at the Medical College of Wisconsin's School of Medicine. He is also a member of the Cancer Center. Dr. Peterson has been at MCW since 2001, first as a Research Scientist (2001-2006), then as Assistant Professor (2006-2012), and currently as Associate Professor (2012-Present).

Dr. Peterson's research focuses on the structural biology of chemokine signaling, metamorphic proteins, and protein-ligand interactions. His work employs NMR spectroscopy and other biophysical techniques to understand the molecular mechanisms of protein function, particularly in the context of immune cell migration and cancer metastasis. His research has significant implications for developing therapeutic interventions targeting chemokine pathways.

Analysis of Dr. Peterson's recent publications (2022-2023) reveals a continued focus on chemokine structure-function relationships, with particular attention to CCR7 signaling, viral chemokines, and metamorphic proteins. His work spans from fundamental protein structure studies to applications in drug discovery, including fragment-based approaches for developing small molecule inhibitors. His research demonstrates strong interdisciplinary collaboration across immunology, structural biology, and pharmacology.

Dr. Peterson has served as course director for Protein Chemistry and Biomolecular NMR at MCW. His mentoring includes graduate student Jamie Wieting (PhD, 2008-Present). He has been involved in multiple NIH-funded research projects as a co-investigator, focusing on chemokine signaling and structural biology.

As Structural Biology Facility Manager, Dr. Peterson oversees critical research infrastructure supporting structural biology research at MCW. His expertise in NMR spectroscopy and protein structure-function relationships positions him as a key contributor to the institution's research enterprise in molecular and cellular biology.