Maria-Elena Torres-Padilla is since 2016 Director at the Institute of Epigenetics and Stem Cells at Helmholtz Munich and Professor for Stem Cell Biology at the LMU Faculty for Biology. Her research focus lies on the epigenetic mechanisms that regulate the transitions of cellular plasticity and epigenetic reprogramming after fertilization in mammals, with the long-term goal of understanding how totipotency is established, maintained and how it can be experimentally manipulated. Maria-Elena Torres-Padilla has made significant contributions to unraveling epigenetic reprogramming during early embryonic development, enhancing our understanding of stem cell biology's foundations and opening potential therapeutic avenues for treating developmental disorders and diseases. After studying biology at the National University in Mexico, she obtained her PhD at the Institut Pasteur in Paris and worked at prestigious institutions in France and the UK. Her academic career is marked by international collaboration, holding positions at leading research facilities and establishing an extensive network of cooperations. She is a member of numerous scientific committees, editorial board member of prestigious journals, of the Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and has received numerous Honours and Awards for her work. 

Magdalena Götz is Director of the Institute of Stem Cells at Helmholtz Munich and Professor for Physiological Genomics at the Medical Faculty of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität. As a developmental and neuroscientist, she studies the fundamental molecular processes of brain development. Focus of her research is to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms of reprogramming processes of the developing brain. Magdalena Götz demonstrated that glial cells can not only provide support but also act as stem cells capable of developing into nerve cells. She studies the direct reprogramming of glial cells into neurons, first in the test tube and but also in living animals demonstrating how novel insights into developmental mechanisms can lead to novel approaches for therapy.

Reiner Anselm has the chair of Systematic Theology and Ethics at the Ludwig Maximilian University München. He deals with ethical issues in medicine, particularly in biomedical research. However, the methodological and technological advances in medicine und biotechnology, for example in stem cell research and regenerative medicine, require a critical reflection on established ethical standards. Reiner Anselm addresses these topics in close exchange with all stakeholders (medical doctors, researchers, patients, politicians). Reiner Anselm is a member of the Bavarian Ethics Council.

Stefan Stricker is group leader the Institute of Stem Cells at Helmholtz Munich and Professor at the Biomedical Centre of the Ludwig Maximilian University München. He studies the mechanisms ensuring that cells do not change identity and, how cells can be manipulated to freely convert cell fates. He employs a wide range of CRISPR methods to test in vitro and in vivo, which epigenetic marks and gene activities have functional relevance in mediating cell identity or disease phenotypes in the brain.

Julia Serong is Research Director of the Munich Science Communication Lab (MSCL) and research associate at the Department of Media and Communication at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München/LMU Munich. Until 2021, she coordinated the ad-hoc working group “Facticity of the World” at the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities. She is an expert in science communication with a special focus on planetary health. The interdisciplinary and diverse perspectives at the MSCL provide many opportunities to broaden the knowledge of science communication and to develop new communication formats and strategies together with practitioners.

Irmela Jeremias is heading the Department Apoptosis in Hematopoietic Stem Cells at Helmholtz Munich and is professor in Paediatrics at the Haunersches Kinderspital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität. As pediatrician she is interested in improving treatment of children with acute leukemias. Irmela Jeremias focusses on leukemia stem cells and uses preclinical models and genetic engineering to identify novel therapeutic targets and treatment options.

Christina Berndt is one of Germany's leading science journalists. She has been a member of the editorial team at Süddeutsche Zeitung since March 2000. She works as an author, journalist and speaker on topics in psychology, medicine and life sciences. She became known to a wider public through her appearances on TV talk shows, especially during the Corona pandemic. She has received numerous awards for her work. Among other things, she received the Wächterpreis der Tagespresse (a German journalism award) for her revelations of transplant scandals, the honorary award of the German Society for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy for consistently good reporting on mental health. Christina Berndt was voted ‘Science Journalist of the Year’ several times, most recently in 2021, coming in first.