Network Science Institute

New Capabilities

As of May 2026: Lead institution for the surface minimization discovery

Since Santiago Ramón y Cajal mapped neurons in 1888, scientists assumed the brain optimizes wiring by taking the shortest path between connections. For over a century, that assumption held, until high-resolution brain imaging revealed neurons branch at right angles, sprout dead-end buds, and take seemingly inefficient routes—patterns the old math couldn't explain.

Updated May 29