Plasma needle interaction with cells
In this study we investigate and classify the possible ways in which the plasma can affect mammalian cells. Plasma interactions with living cells do not necessarily cause cell death. When we treat cells we observe loss of cell adhesion to the glass substrate and loss of cell-cell adhesion. You can see this also in the pictures below. 

We think this is caused by plasma-induced damage to the adhesion molecules of cells, the cadherins and integrins. The cells remain alive after treatment, and the adhesion is restored within several hours.

 

We started our study by optimizing the design of the plasma needle and characterization of plasma parameters. The plasma operates at voltages around Veff = 200 V and its power consumption is up to a few hundred mW. The UV light emitted from the plasma is ascribed to OH and N2 and is mainly in the range 300 to 400 nm.

Now that we have a better knowledge of our plasma we must investigate the processes induced in the cells. We will investigate cell proliferation and possible DNA damage.

 

The figure shows the rounded cells after plasma treatment. In the cartoon you see the proposed mechanism of detachment.

Aim of the research

The aim of this research is to achieve controlled tissue modification with a high precision. The plasma effect on cell adhesion is potentially applicable in refined cell removal. Since the cells that detach during interaction with the plasma are alive (not necrotic), no inflammatory reaction in the tissue is expected. Besides simple cell removal (e.g. disposing of pathological cells), plasma treatment offers a possibility to aid wound healing, by making cells move into the injured area. Due to its mild and refined action, plasma may prove advantageous in various therapies where minimum damage is of high importance.

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