Salamander Gene May Unlock Human Limb Regrowth

Researchers discover a common gene that could enable regenerative therapies for lost limbs.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 3:27am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A highly textured, abstract painting in earthy tones featuring sweeping geometric shapes, concentric cellular structures, and precise botanical spirals, visually representing the complex biological concepts behind the potential for human limb regeneration.Groundbreaking research into the shared genetic programs driving regeneration across diverse species offers new hope for therapies that could one day enable human limb regrowth.Madison Today

Investigating a common gene in three very different species – axolotls, mice and zebrafish – scientists have discovered the potential for a novel gene therapy aimed at eventually regrowing limbs in humans, according to new research published this week. The research showed that there are universal, unifying genetic programs that are driving regeneration in these diverse organisms, providing a foundation for future therapies.

Why it matters

Each year, around the world, more than 1 million limb amputations occur due to vascular diseases, traumatic injuries, cancer or infections. This looming challenge has inspired researchers to search for treatments beyond prosthetics, to find a way to replace the complex senses and motor skills of an actual limb.

The details

The scientists chose to study the axolotl, zebrafish and mouse because the axolotl excels at regeneration, the zebrafish offers a good model for appendage regrowth, and mice represent mammals like humans. They discovered that a common set of SP genes, specifically SP6 and SP8, are vital for limb regeneration across these three very different species. Using CRISPR, the researchers found that removing these SP genes prevented proper limb regrowth. This led them to develop a gene therapy using a secreted molecule called FGF8 to partially restore the regenerative effects of the missing SP genes in mice.

  • The research results were published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The players

Josh Currie

Wake Forest Assistant Professor of Biology who studies the Mexican axolotl salamander.

David A. Brown

A plastic surgeon who studies digit regeneration in mice at Duke University.

Kenneth D. Poss

A researcher who studies fin regeneration in zebrafish at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Tim Curtis Jr.

Biology Ph.D. student who contributed to the research in the Currie lab.

Elena Singer-Freeman

Undergraduate and Goldwater Scholar who assisted with the research in the Currie lab.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This significant research brought together three labs, working across three organisms to compare regeneration. It showed us that there are universal, unifying genetic programs that are driving regeneration in very different types of organisms, salamanders, zebrafish and mice.”

— Josh Currie, Wake Forest Assistant Professor of Biology

“We can use this as a kind of proof of principle that we might be able to deliver therapies to substitute for this regenerative style of epidermis in regrowing tissue in humans.”

— Josh Currie, Wake Forest Assistant Professor of Biology

“Many times, scientists work in their silos: we're just working in axolotl, or we're just working in mouse, or just working in fish. A real standout feature of this research is that we work across all these different organisms. That is really powerful, and it's something that I hope we'll see more of in the field.”

— Josh Currie, Wake Forest Assistant Professor of Biology

What’s next

The researchers say that while it will require much more research to take the findings from mouse digits to human limbs, this study is foundational in the search for therapies to regrow limbs after injury or disease. They plan to continue exploring the potential of the SP genes and gene therapy approaches to enable human limb regeneration.

The takeaway

This collaborative research across three very different species has uncovered a common genetic program that drives regeneration, providing a promising new avenue for the development of therapies that could one day enable the regrowth of lost human limbs, offering hope to the millions who undergo amputations each year.