New Clues about the Blood-Clotting Ability of Leeches
Leeches are blood-feeding organisms that have a suite of anticoagulant compounds they secrete from their salivary glands that prevent blood clotting. This allows them to maximize feeding time and blood volume. Leeches are still used in modern medicine, and knowledge about their anticoagulants is important in many ways, from rodent control to understanding host-parasite relationships. […]
