Nicolas Barnich Obituary :Professor And Dedicated Researcher At Clermont-Ferrand Passed Away in Accident: We have just learned with sadness of the premature death of Nicolas Barnich, a dedicated researcher at the head of the M2iSH mixed research unit (UMR1071 Inserm /UCA) in Clermont-Ferrand. Nicolas was a committed member of our Scientific Committee for 6 years. His research with his team has been focused for nearly 20 years on the discovery of a specific bacterium involved in inflammation, E. coli adhesion-invasive (AIEC), in Crohn’s disease, a major breakthrough in which the AFA (Association François Aupetit) has been heavily involved.
Nicolas succeeded Arlette Darfeuille-Michaud, who herself passed away too early in 2014. Beyond his expertise, Nicolas was passionate about sharing his research work with patients. Thus, he opened the doors of his laboratory several times to patients from Auvergne through visits organized by AFA Auvergne. He and his team knew how to explain in a simple and accessible way what the research challenges were. Nicolas was always smiling, open, warm, and attentive, and he brought us a lot. With his passing, the IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) community loses someone precious. Our thoughts go out to his family, his wife, and his two children. Our thoughts also go to his research team, who will now have the duty to continue his work.
