Mammals May Still Hold Dormant Regeneration Ability, Two Studies Find

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Two independent research teams have found evidence that mammals, including humans, may not have lost the ability to regenerate body parts but instead have it switched off. Scientists at Beijing's National Institute of Biological Sciences reactivated a dormant gene switch linked to retinoic acid production, enabling mice to regrow damaged ear tissue. Separately, a Texas A&M team led by Dr. Ken Muneoka used a timed sequence of two signaling proteins, FGF2 and BMP2, to prompt mice to regrow bone, joints, ligaments, and tendons after digit amputation. Both teams used entirely different methods yet reached the same conclusion: the regenerative program remains present in mammalian biology, just silenced. The findings could reshape regenerative medicine by suggesting the body's own dormant repair instructions can be reactivated rather than replaced with external therapies.

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