Scientists reveal how blood vessels that carry oxygen throughout the body form

A research team at the Biozentrum of the University of Basel, Switzerland, has made significant progress in understanding how blood vessel form, a complex process vital for delivering nutrients and oxygen throughout the body. Their two recent studies shed light on the mechanisms involved in vascular lumen formation, emphasising the interplay between proteins and mechanical forces. Heinz Georg Belting, who led the second study, remarked on the remarkable nature of observing these processes in living organisms and how disruptions in force balance or protein misalignment can lead to defective blood vessels. The research team plans to employ biophysical methods in future studies to further unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying blood vessel formation, potentially leading to innovative treatments for vascular disorders.