Max Planck Epigeneticist Alexander Meissner Wins 2026 ISSCR Momentum Award

Understanding how a cell knows what it is - and how that identity can be deliberately erased and rewritten - sits at the center of stem cell biology. Alexander Meissner, director at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin, has spent nearly two decades working on that question from the epigenetic angle. The International Society for Stem Cell Research selected him as the recipient of the 2026 ISSCR Momentum Award, supported by BlueRock Therapeutics, which recognizes investigators whose sustained contributions continue to shape the direction of the field.

Meissner will present his work at ISSCR 2026 in Montreal from 8-11 July. Two scientists - Kathrin Plath at UCLA and Joseph Wu at Stanford - received honorable mention distinctions.

Mapping the Epigenome of Pluripotency

Meissner's most widely used contribution may be the ScoreCard assay - a tool that assesses pluripotent cell quality and differentiation potential using a defined transcriptional signature. Before the ScoreCard, evaluating whether a human induced pluripotent stem cell line was genuinely pluripotent and capable of differentiating into the intended cell types required laborious, inconsistent methods that varied between laboratories. The ScoreCard provided a standardized, quantitative alternative that has since been adopted widely across the field.

Beyond that specific tool, Meissner's laboratory produced comprehensive transcriptional and epigenomic reference maps of pluripotent stem cells - datasets that established baseline measurements against which other lines, treatments, and experimental conditions could be compared. More recent work has applied spatial transcriptomics and cutting-edge genomic approaches to study chromatin remodeling and in vivo stem cell behavior, extending the laboratory's contributions beyond the pluripotent state into broader questions of developmental biology.

"Alexander Meissner's work has fundamentally advanced our understanding of epigenetic regulation and cellular reprogramming," said ISSCR President Hideyuki Okano. "Equally important is his dedication to mentorship and leadership, which has strengthened institutions and empowered the next generation of stem cell scientists."

Institutional and Mentorship Contributions

Since joining the Max Planck Society in 2017, Meissner has substantially rebuilt the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics as a scientific institution - recruiting junior investigators, strengthening collaborative infrastructure across Berlin's research ecosystem, and establishing a culture described by peers as rigorous and inclusive. The award citation notes that he has prepared numerous trainees for leadership roles in academic research and biotechnology through intensive scientific training and communication development.

Honorable Mention: Kathrin Plath, UCLA

Kathrin Plath received an honorable mention for foundational contributions to understanding human pluripotency, cellular reprogramming, and X chromosome inactivation. Her work defining the gene expression and chromatin dynamics during somatic cell reprogramming has provided mechanistic insight into how cell fate stabilizes during pluripotency induction. Her research on X chromosome inactivation has reshaped how the field accounts for sex differences in stem cell biology and differentiation outcomes.

Honorable Mention: Joseph Wu, Stanford

Joseph Wu at Stanford University School of Medicine received an honorable mention for his translational work applying iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes to cardiovascular disease modeling, pharmacogenomics, and regenerative medicine. His laboratory has developed integrative genomics and proteomics platforms that have supported FDA Investigational New Drug approvals and the launch of early-phase clinical trials involving stem cell-derived heart cells. The award citation highlights a sustained commitment to moving basic stem cell biology toward clinical application.

All honorees will be recognized at the ISSCR 2026 Annual Meeting in Montreal. The Momentum Award has been supported by BlueRock Therapeutics since its establishment.