Heavy water induces bundling in entangled actin networks.

Heavy water is known to affect many different biological systems, with the most striking effects observed at the cellular level. Many dynamic processes, such as migration or invasion, but also central processes of cell proliferation are measurably inhibited by the presence of deuterium oxide (DO). Furthermore, individual cell deformabilities are significantly decreased upon DO treatment.

Systematic altering of semiflexible DNA-based polymer networks tunable crosslinking.

In order to understand and predict the mechanical behaviours of complex, soft biomaterials such as cells or stimuli-responsive hydrogels, it is important to connect how the nanoscale properties of their constituent components impact those of the bulk material. Crosslinked networks of semiflexible polymers are particularly ubiquitous, being underlying mechanical components of biological systems such as cells or ECM, as well as many synthetic or biomimetic materials. Cell-derived components such as filamentous biopolymers or protein crosslinkers are readily available and well-studied model systems.

High-Risk Human Papillomavirus (HR-HPV) DNA Detection in Mouthwashes for Diagnosis of HPV-Driven Oropharynx Cancer and Its Curative Therapy-A Feasibility Study.

Detection of p16 through immunohistochemistry (IHC) is the standard for determining the HPV status of the tumor according the TNM eighth edition released in 2017 and has become crucial for determining the HPV status of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC) with direct impact on staging and prognostication. In recent years, detection of HPV DNA in mouthwashes has been proposed as a noninvasive alternative, both for OPSCCs and for other head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). However, the prospect of using the mouthwashes to monitor the response to therapy is unclear.

Cells in Slow Motion: Apparent Undercooling Increases Glassy Behavior at Physiological Temperatures.

Solvent conditions are unexpectedly sufficient to drastically and reversibly slow down cells. In vitro on the molecular level, protein-solvent interactions drastically change in the presence of heavy water (D O) and its stronger hydrogen bonds. Adding D O to the cell medium of living cells increases the molecular intracellular viscosity.