To understand how certain proteins influence regeneration, we tweak their activity and observe the effects. We create custom DNA tools that can either reduce or boost a protein’s function in cells, and we also use CRISPR/Cas9, a powerful gene-editing technique that lets us modify the protein’s natural gene directly. To see the results, we rely on immunofluorescence and live imaging, which allow us to track proteins and watch tissues regenerate in real time.