Perspectives
Time to Dedifferentiate
Abstract
“One of the mechanisms associated with natural regeneration is dedifferentiation, which involves a terminally differentiated cell reverting back to a less differentiated stage from within its own lineage.”1 “The only part of the mature mammalian limb that possesses regenerative capabilities is the tips of the digits.”2
After years of building a successful career as an infectious disease specialist and a hospital epidemiologist, the last thing that I had planned for in the fifth decade of my life was to “dedifferentiate” by returning to a career in academic general medicine, where my professional training began to take root some 3 decades ago. Just as cell dedifferentiation often occurs as a response to external stimuli or injury,1 my decision to make such a transformation did not occur in a vacuum. The external forces in my case revolved around the diminishing role of subspecialists in teaching basic general medicine skills to medical students and housestaff and my determination not to be left on the sidelines.
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References
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