Prof. Włodzimierz Krzyżosiak Award for a Nature publication involving researchers from the Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw

22 09 2026

Researchers from the Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, and the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, together with collaborators from several other Polish institutions, received the Prof. Włodzimierz Krzyżosiak Award for the best experimental paper in the field of nucleic acid research conducted in a Polish laboratory and published in 2025. The award was granted by the Committee of Molecular Cell Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences.

The awarded paper, “Re-adenylation by TENT5A enhances efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines”, was published in the prestigious journal Nature. Co-authors affiliated with the Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, include Wiktoria Orzeł, Sebastian Jeleń, Wiktor Antczak, Aleksandra Brouze, Katarzyna Matylla-Kulińska, and Prof. Seweryn Mroczek (corresponding author) from the Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, as well as Prof. Andrzej Dziembowski (corresponding author) from the Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw.

In the awarded study, the researchers described a mechanism that helps explain why mRNA used in vaccines can remain active in cells for longer and work more effectively. A key role is played by the enzyme TENT5A, which extends the so-called poly(A) tail located at the end of the mRNA molecule. This makes the mRNA more stable, allows it to remain active in the cell for longer, and enables the production of larger amounts of the antigen that stimulates the immune response.

The researchers also showed that, following the administration of an mRNA vaccine, macrophages play a particularly important role. These immune cells take up mRNA and use it to produce the antigen. Understanding the mechanism of TENT5A action may in the future contribute to the development of more effective vaccines and other therapies based on mRNA technology.

In the same competition, Prof. Andrzej Dziembowski also received a distinction as a co-author of the paper “Chemical circularization of in vitro transcribed RNA for exploring circular mRNA design”, published in Nature Communications.

Warmest congratulations to all the awarded researchers!

The publication in Nature is available at:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08842-1

The publication in Nature Communications is available at:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-61775-1