Title: The Inevitable Structure of Vascular Networks
Abstract: Vascular networks are one of nature’s remarkable solutions to the limitations of diffusion. These networks connect the organism into a mechanically, chemically, and fluidically coupled whole. Across the tree of life—from animals to plants to fungi—biology has evolved flow networks to transport nutrients, signals, and forces efficiently across large spatial scales. Yet, despite the profound differences in biological realization and genetic control, vascular architectures display strikingly similar structural principles.
In this talk, I will explore how physical and mathematical constraints shape the form and function of vascular systems. Using examples from both living and model systems, I will show how symmetry principles, optimization under physical limits, and dynamic feedback between flow and structure determine the organization of these networks. I will also discuss recent work on characterizing flow and topology at the scale of entire organs, revealing how universal physical principles govern biological design.