Vessels: Infrastructures of Life

Vessels are indispensable – for plants, animals, humans, and even our cities. They transport oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and signals, while carrying away waste products. Without these structures, life would not be possible.

The special exhibition »Gefäße – Infrastrukturen des Lebens« (Vessels – Infrastructures of Life) shows how the various vascular systems function and how they can be visualized, used and reproduced. Surgical procedures in general and transplant surgery in particular are inconceivable without the consideration of micro- and microscopic vessels. Vascular structures also play a central role in the field of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. From exhibits on transplantation and regenerative medicine to examples of architecture and design, the exhibition offers exciting insights into these often hidden structures. The exhibits correspond with those in Rudolf Virchow’s collection of specimens. A particular focus lies on the connections between natural vessels and human-made networks, such as the regulation of temperature in buildings or the water and wastewater supply in cities.

Discover how vessels shape life in all its forms!

The opening of the exhibition will take place on 4 June 2025 at 7 pm.

»Vessels: Infrastructures of Life« is a collaboration with the Cluster of Excellence »Matters of Activity« at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin as part of the __matter Festival 2025.

Photo: Corrosion Cast of Liver Vessels, Dietrich Polenz 2023, Image: Igor Sauer, 2025