Branching in nature

Branching structures are ubiquitous in Nature. From molecular aggregates, dendrites or river basins in physics, to unicellular algae and neurons, plants, lungs, or vascular networks in the biological realm, branching patterns and organisms are present everywhere, on all scales. While these systems seem to belong to different worlds, it appears, after closer inspection, that similar if not identical concepts have often been developed independently by different scientific communities. There exist universal paradigms. Branching in Nature is the first book which gives a comprehensive and interdisciplinary survey of the topic. It presents courses given at a physics and biology school by prominent scientists in the field of branching morphogenesis, with special emphasis on interdisciplinary breakthroughs. This book will provide scientists, medical doctors or teachers with a well-rounded view of the subject as well as enchant readers with a special interest in the origin and dynamics of branching structures.