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A Serendipitous Retreat into Research Techniques Made Simple

2016; Elsevier BV; Volume: 136; Issue: 12 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.jid.2016.10.009

1523-1747

Matthew D. Vesely,

Medicine and Dermatology Studies History

I can distinctly remember the first time I heard about the Journal of Investigative Dermatology (JID) Connector and the Research Techniques Made Simple (RTMS) series: it was opening weekend of the Saratoga Race Course on a hot July day in Saratoga Springs, NY. Yale Dermatology was having a resident weekend retreat, and Dr. Barbara Gilchrest was one of our honored guests who gave an entertaining and illuminating talk on her career path, her role as JID Editor-in-Chief, and how to enhance resident understanding of basic science research in dermatology. The JID Connector, especially the RTMS series, was one of the tools to enhance resident training that she discussed. Also told on that blistering hot July day was the story of The Three Princes of Serendip, which is the tale of three princes who, when traveling abroad, correctly identify the existence of a blind, lame camel carrying a pregnant woman based on clues left in the sand. Like the tales of Sherlock Holmes, The Three Princes of Serendip demonstrates the incredible power of keen observation, inference, and deductive reasoning that can astonish less prepared minds. As is often the case with language, the original meaning of the word serendipity has faded and is now synonymous with pleasant surprise or good fortune. There is little remnant of the scientific method in our modern understanding of serendipity. However, serendipity is not simply a chance event, but rather a proficiency for creatively unlocking solutions. This was the theme of our resident retreat—to see every unknown in dermatology as an opportunity to promote patient care or unveil disease pathogenesis and to challenge what is known. The RTMS series helps develop that proficiency. Since then I have enthusiastically used the online JID Connector content monthly to further develop my comprehension of skin biology, basic research, and clinical acumen in dermatology. This past year, as one of the organizers of our resident journal club, I used RTMS articles as critical background to better understand the design, execution, and interpretation of the scientific and clinical articles we discuss. For example, when reviewing an article on hair follicular stem cells by Dr. Elaine Fuchs and colleagues (Hsu et al., 2011Hsu Y.C. Pasolli H.A. Fuchs E. Dynamics between stem cells, niche, and progeny in the hair follicle.Cell. 2011; 144: 92-105Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (450) Google Scholar), the RTMS article “Lineage Tracing Mediated by Cre-Recombinase Activity” (Vorhagen et al., 2015Vorhagen S. Jackow J. Mohor S.G. Tanghe G. Tanrikulu L. Skazik-Vogt C. et al.Lineage tracing mediated by Cre-recombinase activity.J Invest Dermatol. 2015; 135: e28-e31Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (5) Google Scholar) helped us comprehend the design of the assays implemented, which in turn enhanced our capacity to critically evaluate the interpretation of results. Beyond medical science, we used RTMS articles to understand key diagnostic tools for our patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (TCR gene rearrangement) (Chitgopeker and Sahni, 2014Chitgopeker P. Sahni D. T-cell receptor gene rearrangement detection in suspected cases of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.J Invest Dermatol. 2014; 134: e19-e23Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (11) Google Scholar) and epidermolysis bullosa (immunofluorescence antigen mapping) (Has and He, 2016Has C. He Y. Immunofluorescence antigen mapping in epidermolysis bullosa.J Invest Dermatol. 2016; 136: e65-e71Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (27) Google Scholar) whom we care for in our resident clinics. Finally, we have used RTMS articles to decipher the benefits and limitations of clinical studies and determine whether the reported results warrant implementation. Thus, the RTMS article series attempts to simplify and streamline multiple facets of dermatology—whether it be basic science, clinical diagnostics, or evidence-based medicine—which is an inspiring and formidable task. Two years have passed since that resident retreat when I was a brand-new first year resident, and now, as I enter my final year of residency, dermatology remains a thrilling and daunting specialty. Mastery of our specialty, if at all possible, is many years away, far beyond the bookends of residency. My mentors from residency will be lifelong guides and friends who will continue to challenge and illuminate me, inevitably shaping my career. The adventure is just beginning! Without question, the RTMS articles will guide me through the snarls of big data, emerging technologies, and novel therapeutics in the years to come as we enter the age of precision medicine. Whether your adventure takes you to basic science laboratories, inpatient consultations, Mohs surgery units, or clinical suites, the RTMS articles provide a map to help you navigate through a lifelong journey in dermatology.