How salamanders rebuild organs fast to guide human healing
Official title: Rapid remodeling of the translatome underlying wound healing and regeneration
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11333324 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers study how salamanders rapidly regrow limbs and organs to find ways to help people heal better after injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $346,537 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD105731-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11333324 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with regenerative biology interest or conditions affecting tissue repair, or patients who may benefit from future regenerative therapies inspired by this research.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without regenerative concerns or those unwilling to participate in foundational biology research may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Salamanders can regrow complex tissues after injury, and this project aims to understand how their cells turn mRNA into the proteins needed for repair, focusing on translation rather than just gene expression. By applying advanced methods to study protein production, the team hopes to uncover mechanisms that trigger rapid tissue rebuilding. The goal is to translate these insights into approaches that could improve healing in adult humans after damage to organs or limbs. The work is conducted at Stanford with collaboration among experts in biology and regenerative medicine.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform new therapies that enhance tissue repair and regeneration in people after injuries or amputation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in salamander regeneration has revealed unique protein-production dynamics; this project builds on those insights to translate them toward human healing.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barna, Maria — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Barna, Maria
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.