Physicists discover mechanism for the formation of blood platelets
Thursday, July 30, 2020 - 08:50
in Physics & Chemistry
Blood platelets, also called thrombocytes, are all-important cells with a diameter of between only 0.0015 and 0.003 millimeters. They have the task of resealing injuries to the blood vessels as quickly as possible, for which they constantly patrol the bloodstream, ready to react immediately to any leaks. However, the biological capabilities of the organism alone are not sufficient to ensure that the immense number of platelets required for this is available at all times. Indeed, it takes the support of a particularly efficient physical mechanism. This mechanism has now been discovered and scientifically described by a Bayreuth research team led by Prof. Dr. Stephan Gekle, together with partners at University Hospital Würzburg.