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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 29: Networks – Statistics and Dynamics (joint DY/BP/SOE)

BP 29.3: Talk

Wednesday, April 2, 2014, 15:30–15:45, ZEU 118

Data acquistion by vectorization of high resolution images of vascular networks — •Jana Lasser — Max-Planck-Institut für Dynamik und Selbstorganisation

Leaf vein networks form highly complex, reticulate, hierarchically organized webs that are believed to be the result of a process of gradual optimization over the course of evolutionary history. These networks form planar graphs dominated by cycles, but to this day the topological properties of such reticulate networks have not been adequately described. We analyze the hierarchical organization of the loops in transport networks from roughly 100 cleared leaf images that are converted into a weighted graph representation using custom tailor-made image analysis tools. We employ tools from statistics and topology, in particular an algorithmic way of assigning a topological tree graph to the leaf's loop graph which represents its hierarchical organization, thus allowing us to make use of specialized tree metrics to unravel the distinguishing characteristics between different network realisations. Our algorithmic tools allow us to quantitatively describe subtle differences between venation phenotypes, and compare reticulate network data with the predictions of optimisation models.