Understanding how salamanders regrow their limbs
Official title: The function of chromatin remodeling in the patterning of the salamander limb
Funded at University of Massachusetts Boston · NIH-10359548 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how salamanders, like the Mexican Axolotl, can regrow their limbs to find new ways to help people who have lost limbs, by figuring out how to make human cells do the same.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Boston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2018 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $457,500 |
| NIH project number | 2R15HD092180-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10359548 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced limb loss and are seeking innovative treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to limb loss or those who do not have the capacity for regenerative therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind limb regeneration in salamanders, specifically the Mexican Axolotl, to help develop therapies for humans with limb loss. By studying how mature limb cells can be reprogrammed to regenerate limbs, the research focuses on the role of specific signaling pathways, such as FGF and BMP, in modifying chromatin structure. The goal is to induce a regenerative response in human cells, potentially allowing for limb regrowth. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new treatments for limb loss.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to groundbreaking therapies that enable limb regrowth in patients who have lost limbs.
How similar studies have gone: While limb regeneration in mammals is largely untested, studies in salamanders have shown promising results in understanding the underlying biological processes.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mccusker, Catherine D — University of Massachusetts Boston
- Study coordinator: Mccusker, Catherine D
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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.