Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Research Faculty Spotlight: Francesco Boato, PhD
Francesco Boato, PhD, a distinguished neuroscientist with international training in biotechnology and medical neuroscience, has joined Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and the Neurological Institute. Dr. Boato also serves as the Assistant Director of the Cellular Imaging Core and Technical Director alongside David S. Koos, PhD, where he oversees state-of-the-art microscopy systems and trains researchers in advanced imaging techniques.
Driven by a lifelong fascination with science, Dr. Boato was inspired by the neurological conditions affecting his family and dedicated his career to understanding the brain’s development and repair. “Even as a child, I was captivated by the idea of examining cells and understanding how they function. Learning about my aunt’s multiple sclerosis and my uncle’s Parkinson’s disease fueled my passion for neuroscience,” said Dr. Boato.
Dr. Boato’s academic journey spans Italy, France, England, Germany, and the United States. He earned degrees in biotechnology in Italy and France, a master’s at Oxford University, and a PhD in medical neuroscience in Berlin. His postdoctoral work took him to the Vision Institute at Sorbonne University in Paris and Weill Cornell Medicine and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York before joining CHLA.
At CHLA, Dr. Boato leads the newly established Functional Regeneration and Axonogenesis (FRA) Lab, focusing on the central nervous system’s (CNS) development and its limited ability to repair itself after injury. “During early development, axons grow to their targets efficiently, but in the adult CNS, intrinsic growth pathways are no longer active,” Dr. Boato explained. “My goal is to reactivate these pathways selectively to allow axons to regenerate and restore neural circuitry and function. We also aim to reprogram cells to restore lost neuronal connections.”
Dr. Boato also emphasizes collaboration and mentorship in his work.
“I enjoy training researchers in the use of cutting-edge imaging systems and learning from the innovative projects they are pursuing. Science is at its best when knowledge and techniques are shared.”
Outside the lab, Dr. Boato enjoys spending time with his three sons, traveling, studying music, and playing the clarinet, reflecting his belief in a balanced and curious life.
