Book excerpt: New Insights on the Development of the Vascular System examines the most recent literature and data on the development of the vascular system, along with advice on new laboratory techniques and approaches to data analysis. This volume is a comprehensive handbook to the state-of-the-art in vascular system development. Several genetic and epigenetic mechanisms are involved in the early development of the vascular system, and there is extensive literature on the genetic background and molecular mechanisms responsible for blood vessel formation. Yet new data and techniques have been developed in recent years. Although scientific literature covers the descriptive aspects of embryonic vascular system development, modern techniques such as the technology of cell fusion, cell sorting and image analysis give new insight into the mechanisms by which vessels form and regress and how blood flow changes directions in the same vessels. - Gives a comprehensive overview of the most recent literature in the field of vascular system development - Presents new data, including sections on endothelial cell signaling and technologies of cell fusion, cell sorting and image analysis - Provides useful insights on the analysis of new experimental work - Suggests modern techniques for scientists to use in the lab - Gives an overview of vascular biology that will be useful for those needing rapid familiarity - Provides an expert guide to the state-of-the-art in vascular system development as written by a leader in the field