PlasNOW – Transport of biologically relevant molecules from the plasma discharge to the biological target in controlled (humid) environments

• Applicants: Professor Dr.-Ing. Peter Awakowicz; Professorin Dr. Judith Golda, since 2/2021
• Subject Area: Medical Physics, Biomedical Technology
• Term: since 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 430219886

The project is aimed at gaining further insight into the chemical and physical impact of two different non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasmas on biological tissue, such as skin with respect to the efficacy and health-promoting effect.NO is known to be the most important trigger species for wound healing in the human body and in particular the skin tissue. Despite NO itself, NO derivates (NODs) such as nitrate, nitrite, and s-nitroso proteins play a key role, especially for long-term effects on the metabolism. Therefore, we want to focus on the one hand on the NO path by quantifying NO and NODs from the gas phase to the liquid and on the other hand on the influence of humidity in controlled atmosphere, since humidity is ever disposable in the atmosphere and the human body. Thereby it is influencing the concentration of O, OH and other species. For the complexity of the system of plasma/atmosphere/fluid/biomolecules parameters have to be controlled and adjusted. Hence, we will apply the DBD (dielectric barrier discharge) and the μAPPJ (micro atmospheric pressure plasma jet) since they cover nearly the full range of plasma application: direct vs. indirect treatment, areal vs. localized treatment and operation in air vs. in controlled (noble)gas mixture. We limit the parameter range to answer the following research questions:• How are the NO and NODs concentrations, distributions and fluxes transported/developed from the source over the liquid to the final target – to the bio-molecule? What is the process chain?• How does the NO generation in the plasma influence the flux to the skin tissue? What is the impact of humidity and especially OH on the production or loss of NO and its derivatives?• How do environmental parameters, such as humidity or fluid composition, yielding to species as O or OH influence these properties?• By tuning gas mixture and external electric parameters, to which extend can the production of NO(D) and OH be optimized for both plasma devices?For this, we will tailor and investigate the output of the devices in cooperation with our partners within a shared customized vessel that allows the operation of both devices in variable atmospheres. To overcome the well-known difficulties of measuring at the liquid gas interface and within the liquid, we will use a combined effort. We will use bio-sensors in a specialized probe, that can also be introduced into the analytic systems of our project partner (Metzler-Nolte). Additionally, we want to develop a fiber based spectroscopic diagnostics that allows detection in liquid with high spatial resolution. Our second cooperation partner (Christoph Suschek) is investigation the effects of these quantified molecules on living tissue.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Dr. Volker Schulz-von der Gathen, until 1/2021