School of Physics, Engineering and Technology
- School of Physics, Engineering and Technology
- Research and innovation
- Physics of Life
- Low-temperature plasma technologies
Low-temperature plasma technologies
- Low-temperature plasmas are efficient sources of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, in combination with electric fields and UV radiation.
- The aim is to explore the synergies and interaction of plasma components with biological systems, for the development of novel technologies.
- These technologies could offer sustainable solutions to global challenges for a healthier society and economy.
The plasmas for biological applications group is headed by Prof Deborah O’Connell. The group is also a part of research activities within the York Plasma Institute.
The aim of the research is to develop intelligent plasma systems that will enable solutions to contribute to a sustainable future, and a world-wide healthier society and economy. Low-temperature plasmas are an extremely versatile platform technology enabling innovative and powerful interactions with surfaces. From a biological perspective low-temperature plasmas exploit unique synergies between the different plasma components e.g. reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) and electric fields, to stimulate specific programmed biological responses. Through tuning the plasma properties, different cell signalling pathways can be activated thus targeting specific cellular responses including cytotoxicity, immunogenicity and cell proliferation.
Key publications
1. British Journal of Cancer 112, 1536 (2015) 2. Tumour biology (2016) 3. Plasma Processes Polym. 11, 1142-1149, 2014 4. Special Issue on Images in Plasma Science, IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci, 2014 5. BioMed Research International Volume 2014, Article ID 878319 (2014) 6. Chem Comm, 53 3685 (2017)