Plasma medicine is an interdisciplinary field that involves the application of plasma for medical treatments and biological systems. This specialized branch integrates principles from plasma physics, biology, chemistry, and medicine to explore the effects of plasma on biological systems and its potential applications in healthcare.

In medicine, plasma is used in various ways, such as in plasma jets that can be directed at tissues to kill bacteria, promote wound healing, or even potentially treat certain cancers. These plasma-based technologies are being researched for their ability to selectively target and kill pathogens without causing harm to healthy cells. The idea is to harness the reactive properties of plasma to disinfect wounds, aid in tissue regeneration, and potentially treat certain medical conditions.

Topics covered in plasma medicine field include, but are not limited to:

Plasma Sources and Generation: Understanding different methods to create and control plasma suitable for medical use. This includes cold atmospheric plasmas that operate at or near room temperature to ensure the safety for biological tissues.

Plasma-Biological Interactions: Investigating how plasma interacts with living organisms, cells, tissues, and biomolecules. This involves studying the effects of plasma on cellular processes, such as cell signalling, gene expression, and immune responses.

Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration: Exploring the use of plasma to accelerate wound healing processes by promoting cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation. Plasma may assist in tissue regeneration and scar reduction.

Sterilization and Disinfection: Assessing the effectiveness of plasma in killing bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. Plasma-based techniques may offer an alternative to conventional sterilization methods in healthcare settings.

Cancer Therapy: Investigating the potential of plasma in cancer treatment, such as selectively targeting and killing cancer cells. This area is still in the early stages of research and development.

Dermatological Applications: Using plasma for skin treatments, including managing skin conditions, such as dermatitis, psoriasis, and wound care.

Biochemical and Biophysical Effects: Understanding the underlying biochemical and biophysical mechanisms of plasma on biological systems, including its impact on cellular metabolism, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, and signalling pathways.

The ultimate goal of the plasma medicine field is to develop safe and effective medical applications using plasma-based technologies, aiming to enhance existing medical treatments, improve patient outcomes, and potentially introduce new therapeutic options across various healthcare domains.