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The blue-tailed skink has the remarkable ability to lose its tail to distract predators, and then grow a new one.

And someday, thanks to cells found in our nails, humans could have similar lizard-like abilities that will help us regrow lost limbs.

Researchers in the US recently found unique stem cells in nails that perform two roles - they cause nails to grow, and they focus on nail repair when it is lost or injured.

Researchers in the US recently found unique stem cells (shown in the above animation) in nails that perform two roles; they cause nails to grow, and focus on nail repair when it is lost or injured

The researchers claim these stem cells could be manipulated to grow tissue for other body parts, helping to someday recover lost limbs or organs.

The elusive stem cells were found at the University of Southern California by attaching dyes as 'labels' on mouse nail cells.

Many of these cells repeatedly divided, diluting the dyes and labels in the process.

However, a few cells in the soft tissue attached to the base of the nail remained brightly lit by the dye because they either did not divide, or divided slowly.

If the nail is injured or lost, a protein called bone morphogenic protein, or BMP, signals to the stem cells to shift their function exclusively to nail repair.

The researchers are now investigating whether or not the right signals, or environmental cues, could induce these nail stem cells to generate additional types of tissue.

The elusive stem cells were found at the University of Southern California by attaching dyes as 'labels' on mouse nail cells. Pictured are stem cells in a mouse nail

This could potentially aid aiding in the repair of everything from nail and finger defects to severe skin injuries and amputations.

Principal investigator Krzysztof Kobielak described the discovery as 'suprising'.

He claims the dual characteristic is quite unique from other skin stem cells, such as those of the hair follicle or sweat gland.

Recently, researchers led by stem cell expert Robert Lanza developed a revolutionary stem cell jab that can restore a person's sight.

The researchers are now investigating whether or not the right signals or environmental cues could induce these nail stem cells to generate additional types of tissue

Men and women with severe age-related macular degeneration, the most common form of blindness in the elderly, are able to see better after having tens of thousands of embryonic stem cells injected into the back of their eye.

Children with Stargardt's disease, the main cause of blindness in the young, have also benefited.  

Plucked from embryos in the first days of life, these 'master cells' are widely seen as a repair kit for dead, dying and worn-out body parts.

However, fears about their safety means they have not been properly tested in people until now.