There is increasing evidence that branching processes in nature proceed by similar mechanisms in many seemingly different systems. This is the first comprehensive book dealing with this topic - it encompasses all fields of science, investigating branching morphogenesis and pattern formation in cells, plants, organs and river networks to name but a few. Renowned international researchers have contributed to this volume and taken care that the lectures remain accessible to graduate students and nonspecialist researchers.
From the contents: Patterns with Open Brances or Closed Networks: Growth in Scalar or Tensorial Fields * Branching in Plants * Inside the Buds: The Meristems * Two Symmetries Linking Biological and Physical Branching Morphogenesis * Establishing a Growth Axis in Fucoid Algae * Shape Stability During Osmotic Growth * On Transcellular Ionic Currents * Branched Patterns in Geology: Rivers and Other Systems * Neuronal Arborization * Chemical Waves and Dendrites and Navigation During Self-Wiring of Neural Nets * The Mouse Embryonic Lung: A Biological Example of Branching Morphogenesis * Branched Structures, Acinus Morphology and Optimal Design of Mammalian Lungs * Quantitative Studies of Branching Morphogeneses in the Developing Kidney * Morphogenic Responses of Mammary Epithelial cells Grown in Biological Semi-Solid Substrates.