The incredible regenerative capacity of newts is unparalleled among vertebrates. To uncover the regenerative mechanisms we are sequencing the genome of Pleurodeles waltl to find genetic determinants of remarkable regeneration. It has been difficult to obtain a high quality genome assembly for species like Pleurodeles because of their massive (over 20Gb), highly repetitive genomes. Recent improvements in sequencing technology has now opened the doors to the sequencing and assembly of genomes with these difficult characteristics. Thus, the time is right to begin to delve into the genetic factors that allow for high regenerative capacity. A high quality genome will allow for more nuanced bioinformatic analyses, but will also facilitate genome editing and functional experimentation.