dedifferentiation

[ dee-dif-uh-ren-shee-ey-shuhn ]

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.

dedifferentiation

/ diːˌdɪfəˌrɛnʃɪˈeɪʃən /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of dedifferentiation¹

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

Example Sentences

Instead, differentiated cells undergo what is known as dedifferentiation after the removal of the growth zone.

From Science Daily

This reduction in neural selectivity, or dedifferentiation, is linked to worsening memory performance.

From Science Daily

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