All roads lead to thrombus formation : demystifying platelet signaling pathways

Blood platelets have a central role in the process of haemostasis (the process of making the bleeding stop in a damaged blood vessel wall) and thrombosis (clotting of a blood vessel). The latter can lead to blood vessel obstruction causing a heart infarct or a stroke. The current antithrombotic, anti-blood vessel medication is only partly effective, and an increased risk of bleeding often creates a considerable complication. For the development of personalized target-specific medication with fewer side-effects a more exact knowledge of the complex process of thrombus formation and mainly the involved blood vessel signalling pathways is essential. The insight described in this thesis is a contribution to future developments in the treatment of arterial thrombosis.