Drexel University

This project will develop a fundamental understanding of bio-molecular interaction pathways between strongly non-equilibrium electrical plasma and living cells.  The work is enabled by recently developed (at Drexel) nanosecond pulsed uniform non-equilibrium plasma (NEP), which makes possible not only the safe application of plasma directly to living tissues, but also accurate plasma characterization.  NEP has been found to produce a variety of important medical and biological effects; however, the mechanisms underlying these effects are not clearly understood.  The major goal of this project is to close the gap in the understanding of NEP characteristics and its effects on biomolecular events in cells.  The project team will study how active species in NEP can be modified through nanosecond control of applied voltage and gasses and determine how these species modulate the effects of NEP on living cells and biomolecules.  To study the effects of NEP on nucleic acids and proteins in solution and in cells, they will utilize biochemical approaches, including mass, Raman, NMR and infrared spectroscopies and small angle X-ray scattering in conjunction with electrical and optical plasma characterization.  Signal transduction pathways affected by NEP treatment of cells will be explored by a combination of biochemical techniques and chemical inhibitors, RNAi and genetically modified cells.