Endowing networks with desired symmetries and modular behavior

Abstract

Symmetries in a network regulate its organization into functional clustered states. Given a generic ensemble of nodes and a desirable cluster (or group of clusters), we exploit the direct connection between the elements of the eigenvector centrality and the graph symmetries to generate a network equipped with the desired cluster(s), with such a synthetical structure being furthermore perfectly reflected in the modular organization of the network's functioning. Our results solve a relevant problem of reverse engineering, and are of generic application in all cases where a desired parallel functioning needs to be blueprinted.