While the code of life is contained in our DNA, the instructions that enable pluripotent stem cells to become specialized throughout development, are written in copied messages called mRNA. The significance of such messages for a cell can be amplified by RNA modifications, the most abundant of these being m⁶A.

My group investigates how m⁶A regulation can steer pluripotent stem cells towards becoming functional tissues. Pluripotency is the unique capacity to specialize or differentiate into all tissue types of the body. This key property holds great promise for regenerative therapy applications of tomorrow. 

A change in m⁶A abundances can amplify any given mRNA message, with great or small consequences for pluripotent stem cell differentiation. Until now, understanding which type of messages are amplified with the help of m⁶A levels to direct stem cell fate, has been the subject of much debate. Our group has shown that m⁶A abundances amplify critical input messages from a cell’s environment. Amplification of these ‘cell signaling’ input messages is key to instruct efficient stem cell differentiation.

Article in Norwegian: Forandringer i RNA-et påvirker stamcellenes skjebne (www.oslo-universitetssykehus.no)

Current projects in my group aim at understanding m⁶A dependent mechanisms of pluripotent stem cell differentiation, including germ cell lineage induction. We are also investigating how m⁶A regulation affects cancer progression and refraction to treatment in patients. We apply cutting-edge singe cell resolution quantitative live cell imaging, genetic manipulation and genome-wide single cell sequencing approaches.

Jin K, Zuo H, Anastassiadis K, Klungland A, Marr C, Filipczyk A (2021)
N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) Depletion Regulates Pluripotency Exit by Activating Signaling Pathways in Embryonic Stem Cells
PNAS, 2021, In Press.

Klungland A, Dahl JA, Greggains G, Fedorcsak P, Filipczyk A (2016)
Reversible RNA modifications in meiosis and pluripotency
Nat Methods, 14 (1), 18-22
DOI 10.1038/nmeth.4111, PubMed 28032624

Filipczyk A, Marr C, Hastreiter S, Feigelman J, Schwarzfischer M, Hoppe PS, Loeffler D, Kokkaliaris KD, Endele M, Schauberger B, Hilsenbeck O, Skylaki S, Hasenauer J, Anastassiadis K, Theis FJ, Schroeder T (2015)
Network plasticity of pluripotency transcription factors in embryonic stem cells
Nat Cell Biol, 17 (10), 1235-46
DOI 10.1038/ncb3237, PubMed 26389663

Filipczyk A, Gkatzis K, Fu J, Hoppe PS, Lickert H, Anastassiadis K, Schroeder T (2013)
Biallelic expression of nanog protein in mouse embryonic stem cells
Cell Stem Cell, 13 (1), 12-3
DOI 10.1016/j.stem.2013.04.025, PubMed 23827706

Link to full publication list

Adam Filipczyk, PhD

Dept of Microbiology

Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet

PO Box 4950 Nydalen NO-0424 Oslo, Norway

Tel: +47 908 16 524 

E-mail: dr.adam.filipczyk@gmail.com

Adam Filipczyk, PhD

Dept of Microbiology

Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet

PO Box 4950 Nydalen NO-0424 Oslo, Norway

Tel: +47 908 16 524 

E-mail: dr.adam.filipczyk@gmail.com