For more than a century, scientists have wondered why physical structures like blood vessels, neurons, tree branches, and other biological networks look the way they do. The prevailing theory held that nature simply builds these systems as efficiently as possible, minimizing the amount of material needed. But in the past, when researchers tested these networks against traditional mathematical optimization theories, the predictions consistently fell short. 

More than a billion years ago, in a shallow basin across what is now northern Ontario, a subtropical lake much like modern-day Death Valley evaporated under the sun’s gentle heat, leaving behind crystals of halite — rock salt.It was a very different world than the one we know today. Bacteria were the dominant form of life. Red algae had only just appeared on the evolutionary scene. Complex multicellular life like animals and plants wouldn’t show up for another 800 million years. 

Research aims to address a critical bottleneck in the production of mRNA therapeutics.

Two RPI researchers, Ge Wang, Ph.D., Clark & Crossan Endowed Chair Professor and director of the Biomedical Imaging Center at RPI, and Fudong Han, Ph.D., associate professor and Priti & Mukesh Chatter '82 Career Development Chair, have earned a spot on Clarivate’s 2025 Highly Cited Researchers list.