His research work mainly concerned algebra and algebraic geometry. In particular, in the field of group theory, he dealt with abelian varieties, theorizing what are now called Barsotti–Tate groups and which are at the basis of crystalline cohomology. He also dealt with theta functions, generalizing them with the introduction of the "theta-like class of functions."
Cristante, V. (1987), "Obituary: Iacopo Barsotti", Rendiconti del Seminario Matematico della Università di Padova. The Mathematical Journal of the University of Padova, 78: 285, ISSN0041-8994, MR0934520