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Sept. 21, 2009

Vascular networks form and expand by “sprouting,” similar to the way trees grow new branches. The process allows fresh oxygen and nutrients to be delivered to tissues, whether in a developing embryo or a cancerous tumor.

Up until now, scientists thought that the molecular signals to form new sprouts came from outside the vessel. But new research from UNC has shown that signals can also come from within the blood vessel, pushing new blood vessel sprouts outward.

Victoria Bautch, Ph.D., professor of biology in the College of Arts & Sciences,  a member of the School of Medicine’s Program in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, the UNC McAllister Heart Institute and the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, was senior author on a paper reporting the research in the Sept. 15 issue of Developmental Cell.

he findings, published in the Sept. 15 issue of the journal Developmental Cell, could give important insights into the formation of the vasculature needed to feed new tumors.