Axolotls can regenerate their entire brains

The axolotl, a neotenic salamander native to Mexico, possesses one of nature's most remarkable regenerative abilities. Unlike most vertebrates including humans, axolotls completely regenerate lost limbs, tails, hearts, lungs, and brain portions with perfect fidelity and without scarring. When an axolotl loses a limb, the wound quickly forms a blastema—an undifferentiated cell mass—which redifferentiates into specific tissues needed to replace the lost appendage. Regeneration is so precise the new limb is functionally identical to the original. This ability has made axolotls subjects of intensive neuroscience research to understand molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying regeneration. Scientists hope unlocking these secrets could lead to breakthrough treatments for spinal cord injuries and neurological diseases. The axolotl's fully sequenced genome reveals genetic factors holding keys to regenerative medicine.