dedifferentiation

American  

[dee-dif-uh-ren-shee-ey-shuhn] / diˌdɪf əˌrɛn ʃiˈeɪ ʃən /

noun

Biology.

1. a process by which structures or behaviors that were specialized for a specific function lose their specialization and become simplified or generalized.

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dedifferentiation British  

/ diːˌdɪfəˌrɛnʃɪˈeɪʃən /

noun

1. the reversion of the cells of differentiated tissue to a less specialized form

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Etymology

Origin of dedifferentiation

First recorded in 1915–20; de- + differentiation ( def. )

Example Sentences

Such cellular dedifferentiation in the absence of Rb has also been observed in prostate cancer5.

From Nature

Her team has discovered that cardiac progenitors from neonates, but not adults, seem to proliferate better under these microgravity conditions, and that they show signs of dedifferentiation—reverting back to a more primitive, unspecialized state.

From Science Magazine

Although still a controversial idea, many scientists now think that regeneration is driven by a process known as dedifferentiation.

From Nature

In brief: this happens because certain cells in their bodies lose their specialized functions in a process called dedifferentiation.

From The Verge

If a therapeutic agent can block dedifferentiation of cells, it may effectively get rid of cancer stem cell populations and prove to be a highly valuable adjunct to current therapies against glioblastoma. 1. T.

From Scientific American