Intrinsic mechanisms for axon regeneration: insights from injured axons in Drosophila

•Powerful genetics, a simplified nervous system, and amenability to live imaging make Drosophila an ideal model system to study mechanisms of axon and dendrite regeneration.•Molecular pathways that gate the intrinsic ability to regenerate injured axons are highly conserved between Drosophila and mammalian neurons.•New axon regeneration regulators, including RNA processing enzyme Rtca, have recently been identified via genetic screens in Drosophila.•Recent studies in Drosophila demonstrate that dendrites and axons respond to injury and regenerate via distinct mechanisms.