A research team reported that Parkin gene therapy restored dopaminergic neuron function and survival in cellular and animal Parkinson’s disease models. The study demonstrated improved neuronal survival and functional outcomes after delivery of Parkin, a ubiquitin E3 ligase linked to mitochondrial quality control, providing mechanistic evidence for targeting mitophagy pathways in neurodegeneration. Authors Hioki, Nishimura and Sun showed in vivo rescue in rodent models, supporting further preclinical development and informing vector design, dosing and biomarker strategies for translational Parkinson’s gene therapies.