Scientists found the “holy grail” gene that could one day help humans regrow limbs

Scientists found the “holy grail” gene that could one day help humans regrow limbs | ScienceDaily Science News from research organizations Scientists found the “holy grail” gene that could one day help humans regrow limbs A breakthrough gene discovery in salamanders, fish, and mice could someday help humans regrow lost limbs. Date: May 9, 2026 Source: Wake Forest University Summary: Scientists studying axolotls, zebrafish, and mice have uncovered a shared set of genes that may one day help humans regrow lost limbs. By identifying powerful “SP genes” involved in regeneration, researchers discovered that disabling these genes stopped proper bone regrowth in salamanders and mice. They then used a gene therapy inspired by zebrafish biology to partially restore regeneration in mice, marking a major step toward future treatments that could replace damaged limbs with living tissue instead of prosthetics. Share: Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email FULL STORY A Mexican axolotl in Wake Forest University biologist Josh Currie's regeneration lab. Credit: Wake Forest University Scientists studying axolotls, zebrafish, and mice have uncovered a shared set of genes that could someday help researchers develop therapies for regrowing human limbs. The findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , point to a possible new direction for regenerative medicine and gene therapy. "This significant research brought together three labs, working across three organisms to compare regeneration," said Wake Forest Assistant Professor of Biology Josh Currie, whose lab studies the Mexican axolotl salamander. "It showed us that there are universal, unifying genetic programs that are driving regeneration in very different types of organisms, salamanders, zebrafish and mice." The project also included Duke University plastic surgeon David A. Brown, who studies digit regeneration in mice, and Kenneth D. Poss of the University of Wisconsin-Madison,