Scientists unlock key to blood vessel formation
Monday, August 11, 2014 - 13:10
in Health & Medicine
A gene that plays a vital role in blood vessel formation has been discovered by scientists, research that adds to our knowledge of how early life develops. "Blood vessel networks are not already pre-constructed but emerge rather like a river system. Vessels do not develop until the blood is already flowing and they are created in response to the amount of flow. This gene, Piezo1, provides the instructions for sensors that tell the body that blood is flowing correctly and gives the signal to form new vessel structures," the lead researcher said.