Von Willebrand factor (vWF). Illustration of research being carried out into vWF, a glycoprotein found in blood plasma. The protein is attached to two

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Von Willebrand factor (vWF). Illustration of research being carried out into vWF, a glycoprotein found in blood plasma. The protein is attached to two beads, one (grey sphere) held by a pipette tip (left), the other (blue sphere) attached to the protein's platelet receptor and held and controlled by a laser. vWF functions to facilitate blood clotting at the site of an injury. The protein binds to collagen exposed in damaged epithelial cells. This produces a change in the shape of the protein that starts a cascade of signals that begin the clotting process. vWF also binds to platelets facilitating their activation and aggregation.

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Size: 4695px × 3722px
Photo credit: © NICOLLE R. FULLER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 3d, artwork, biochemical, biochemistry, biological, biology, biotechnology, blood, clotting, factor, glycoprotein, haemostasis, hemostasis, illustration, laser, medicine, pipette, protein, research, von, vwf, willebrand