BPoD has moved!

BPoD has recently changed our domain name - we can now be found at bpod.org.uk

Please update your bookmarks!

Now in our 13th year of bringing you beautiful imagery from biomedical science every day

Search the archive of over 4000 images

Healing Vessels

Insight into the molecular signals underlying nutrient acquisition for new blood vessel growth

20 July 2022

Healing Vessels

Healing a wound is a complicated process. Central to its success is angiogenesis – creating new blood vessels from existing ones. This relies on endothelial cells (ECs) that line blood vessels. During angiogenesis, ECs consume more nutrients to grow and divide. Researchers investigate how this comes about in mouse retinas. Mice were genetically engineered to lack YAP, TAZ or TEAD, proteins associated with angiogenesis. In mice lacking any one of these, the retina had fewer ECs and a reduced blood vessel network (right) compared with normal mice (left). After identifying genes that increase activity in response to YAP, TAZ and TEAD, the team found suppressing such genes also impaired angiogenesis. Specifically, they found YAP, TAZ and TEAD increase the activity of genes important for nutrient transport, metabolism and growth. This sheds light on the molecular goings-on of ECs in the creation of a new blood supply.

Written by Lux Fatimathas

Search The Archive

Submit An Image

Follow on Tumblr

Follow on Instagram

What is BPoD?

BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

Read More

BPoD is also available in Catalan at www.bpod.cat with translations by the University of Valencia.