The amazing regenerative capability of fetal skin has been known for decades. While postnatal skin heals through fibrosis (scar formation) and only the epidermis can be restored, fetal skin has enormous regenerative capability and heals without scar formation.

Harvard researchers in the Hsu lab aim to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon. Combining the Hsu lab’s capabilities in surgery and skin biology, as well as the ability to manipulate genes in wounded mouse skin, puts them in a unique position to solve this decades-old problem with powerful new tools. Further development of this program can elucidate the pathways that promote regenerative skin healing responses and lead to the discovery of “youth serum” that can induce regeneration of youthful skin, reduce scarring, and restore fully functional skin tissue.