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Accumulating evidence indicates that defects in angiogenesis- the for-mation of either excessive or insufficient blood vessels from an existing vasculature- play important roles in the pathogenesis of a multitude of seemingly unrelated disorders such as cancer, a number of ocular conditions, certain skin diseases, as well as impaired wound healing. These findings have led to the development of various pro- and anti-angiogenic compounds and devices to treat these conditions. This article addresses a few historical highlights in the field of angiogenesis, describes the involvement of this phenomenon in the pathogenesis of a number of diseases, reflects on currently available anti- and pro-angiogenic therapeutic strategies, and presents a research program in Suriname aimed at the identification of plant-derived substances with potential angiogenesis-interfering properties