Franck Barrat

Franck Barrat is a Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Weill Cornell Medical College and holds the Michael R. Bloomberg Chair at the Hospital for Special Surgery. His research focuses on nucleic acid recognition in autoimmunity, particularly systemic sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis, with an emphasis on Toll-like receptor (TLR7/8/9) signaling and type I interferon responses.

• Postdoctoral fellow, DNAX Research Institute
• Ph.D., University of Paris Diderot
• Master’s, Pasteur Institute
• Bachelor’s, University of Nice

The Barrat Lab investigates how self-nucleic acid sensing by plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) drives end-organ damage in autoimmune diseases. They also explore metabolic and epigenetic regulation of immune cells, the impact of tissue micro-environment (hypoxia, stiffness), and collaborations with clinicians for translational research.

Recent work highlights the role of pDCs in SARS-CoV-2 cytokine storms, TLR8-driven systemic sclerosis, and CXCL4-TLR8 synergy in inflammation. His lab uses human and mouse models to dissect these mechanisms.

• National Institutes of Health
• Scleroderma Research Foundation
• Scleroderma Foundation
• Lupus Innovation Award

Dr. Barrat collaborates with clinicians at Hospital for Special Surgery, leveraging patient samples and expertise. His industry relationships with AstraZeneca, Dynavax Technologies, and IpiNovyx Bio focus on therapeutic development.

The Barrat Lab studies nucleic acid sensing, TLR signaling, and immune cell interactions in autoimmune and fibrotic diseases. They work closely with the David Z. Rosensweig Center for Genomics Research and the Immunology & Microbial Pathogenesis Graduate Program at Weill Cornell.