ISSCR Momentum Award for Alexander Meissner
Congratulations to director Alexander Meissner, who has been honored with the 2026 ISSCR Momentum Award for Exceptional Work in Developmental and Stem Cell Epigenetics by the The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR).
“I am proud that my lab’s work on the fundamental processes of early development is recognized by the ISSCR with this prestigious award. It strengthens our institute’s standing in the field and reinforces our commitment to fundamental, curiosity-driven research that advances our understanding of how the genome functions, especially during early embryonic development”, Alexander Meissner comments on the prize.
Alex’ work addresses a central question in biology: how cell identity is established, maintained, and reprogrammed. Through pioneering genomic and epigenomic studies, he defined key mechanistic steps underlying somatic cell reprogramming and pluripotency, helping to establish the conceptual and technical foundations of induced pluripotent stem cell research.
Among his most influential contributions is the development of comprehensive transcriptional and epigenomic reference maps of pluripotent stem cells and the creation of the “ScoreCard” assay – an innovative tool that set new standards for assessing pluripotent cell quality and differentiation potential and is now widely adopted across the field.
His subsequent studies have illuminated early regulatory dynamics during pluripotent cell specification and advanced understanding of chromatin remodeling and in vivo stem cell behavior using spatial transcriptomics and cutting-edge genomic technologies.
Since joining the Max Planck Society in 2017, Meissner has revitalized the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, recruiting outstanding junior investigators, strengthening institutional partnerships across Berlin, and fostering a collaborative and rigorous research culture.
The award recognizes an investigator whose sustained scientific contributions continue to shape and accelerate the field of stem cell research. Alexander Meissner will present his work during ISSCR 2026 taking place in Montréal, Canada 8-11 July 2026.
The ISSCR also recognizes Kathrin Plath (University of California, Los Angeles, USA) and Joseph C. Wu (Stanford University School of Medicine, USA) Honorable Mention distinctions for the 2026 Momentum Award.
Learn more about all of the 2026 ISSCR Award honorees.
About ISSCR
With nearly 5,000 members from more than 80 countries, the International Society for Stem Cell Research is the leading global organization dedicated to advancing stem cell science and its translation to human health.
http://www.isscr.org/
