The thymus is one of those organs that doesn’t have a lot of name recognition, but it plays a critical role in making sure our immune system stays up to snuff. But just like all organs, the thymus — which is located in the upper chest — gets less effective as we age. It’s difficult to restore the thymus once it’s started to deteriorate, but future therapies may get inspiration from an unexpected source, the axolotl.

A new study published in Science Immunology has found that axolotls, eccentric amphibians that often have a pink hue, can regenerate their thymus after it’s removed from their bodies. Specifically observed in juvenile axolotls, this regenerative power may now serve as a blueprint for treatment options aiming to achieve more effective thymus regrowth.