Elevated expression of the inducible heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) is known to correlate with poor prognosis in many cancers. Hsp70 confers survival advantage as well as resistance to chemotherapeutic agents, and promotes tumor cell invasion. At the same time, tumor-derived extracellular Hsp70 has been recognized as a “chaperokine”, activating antitumor immunity. In this review we discuss localization dependent functions of Hsp70 in the context of invasive cancer. Understanding the molecular principles of metastasis formation steps, as well as interactions of the tumor cells with the microenvironment and the immune system is essential for fighting metastatic cancer. Although Hsp70 has been implicated in different steps of the metastatic process, the exact mechanisms of its action remain to be explored. Known and potential functions of Hsp70 in controlling or modulating of invasion and metastasis are discussed.

A poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)-based biochip with an integrated pressure controlled positioning system with sub-micrometre precision was realized. The biochip was easy and cheap to manufacture and enabled positioning in a wet environment. It allowed the application of total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy at the dorsal cell membrane, which is not adhering to a support. Specifically, the chip enabled TIRF microscopy at the apical membrane of polarized epithelial cells. Thereby, the device allowed us for the first time to monitor individual fusion events of GPI-GFP bearing vesicles at the apical membrane in live Madin-Darby canine kidney II (MDCK II) cells. Moreover, a mapping of fusion sites became feasible and revealed that the whole apical membrane is fusion competent. In total, the biochip offers an all-in-one solution for apical TIRF microscopy and contributes a novel tool to study trafficking processes close to the apical plasma membrane in polarized epithelial cells.

Peptide and protein micropatterns are powerful tools for the investigation of various cellular processes, including protein-protein interactions (PPIs). Within recent years, various approaches for the production of functional surfaces have been developed. Most of these systems use glass as a substrate, which has several drawbacks, including high fragility and costs, especially if implemented for fluorescence microscopy. In addition, conventional fabrication technologies such as microcontact printing (µCP) are frequently used for the transfer of biomolecules to the glass surface. In this case, it is challenging to adjust the biomolecule density. Here, we show that cyclic olefin polymer (COP) foils, with their encouraging properties, including the ease of manufacturing, chemical resistance, biocompatibility, low water absorption, and optical clarity, are a promising alternative to glass substrates for the fabrication of micropatterns. Using a photolithography-based approach, we generated streptavidin/biotinylated antibody patterns on COPs with the possibility of adjusting the pattern contrast by varying plasma activation parameters. Our experimental setup was finally successfully implemented for the analysis of PPIs in the membranes of live cells via total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy.

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Through the Circular Economy Package, the EU aims to reduce material imports and environmental impacts of waste management. Ambitious recycling targets should help to achieve these objectives. As a response, the waste industry developed technical and organizational solutions that can intervene at different stages of a waste management system in order to increase the recovery of recycling materials, starting with improved separate collection over the use of modern material recovery facilities up to the enhanced treatment of waste incineration ashes. The large question is how each of these options can contribute to increase recycling rates to achieve a circular economy. By reviewing case studies as presented in the most recent literature published since the year 2010 from European countries on the recycling of post-consumer packaging waste of glass, metals, paper, and plastics, this study contributes to answer this question. In the first stage, the review found 644 articles matching with the search terms and published since the year 2010. Of these, 46 remained for an in-depth analysis, since 319 did not present case studies as defined in the scope of this article. The articles reviewed provide a good overview on the state of knowledge on increasing recycling of post-consumer packaging waste by improved separate collection, material recovery facilities, and waste incineration bottom ash treatment. Additional information and case studies, however, are required, particularly large-scale experiments to test new separate collection systems, large-scale with different feedstock material at the most-modern material recovery facilities and waste incineration bottom ash treatment plants.