Is Limb Regeneration Possible in Humans?

Not long ago, stem cell and gene research made it possible for human beings to regenerate fingertips right down to the fingerprint if an ample amount of the fingernail remained intact. An accidental discovery also showed lab mice could regenerate holes in their ears and the tips of their toes when the Lin28a gene is enabled. Both mice and human beings have this gene but it is normally disabled after the embryonic state. Further research conducted at the University College London on salamanders shows that the ERK pathway or way proteins communicate from the receptor of a cell to the nucleus is largely responsible for how salamanders can regenerate limbs and certain types of organs. Normally, the ERK pathway is not completely active in mammalian cells. When forced on, the ERK pathway produces greater potential for cell regeneration. The combination of stem cell research and genetic manipulation offers great hope that limb regeneration will eventually become a reality in human beings.

Sources:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/new-limb-regeneration-ins/
http://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/musculoskeletal/extracellular-matrix.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/06/140619125218.htm