BIODECON - Biological decontamination of surfaces using plasmas discharges (FP6-NEST) (2005-06-01 - 2008-05-31) (»add to infobox)

Achim VON KEUDELL, Thierry SINDZINGRE, Jean Philippe DESLYS, François ROSSI, Joachim WUNDERLICH

RUHR-UNIVERSITAET BOCHUM (DEA51 - Bochum, Kreisfreie Stadt) (Germany), ACXYS TECHNOLOGIES (FR714 - Isère) (France), COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE (CEA) (FR101 - Paris) (France), COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES - DIRECTORATE GENERAL JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE - JRC (BE100 - Arr. de Bruxelles-Capitale) (Belgium), FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV (DE212 - München, Kreisfreie Stadt) (Germany)

The interaction of specific biomolecules like endotoxins or certain proteins with organisms can be a major cause of diseases. Prominent examples are pyrogenes - lipopolysacharides (LPS) and lipoteichoic acids (LTA) -, which cause fever in human body and are potentially lethal after injection. In some cases the secondary or tertiary structure of proteins is responsible for their biological properties. Important example is PrP (prion). Some contaminated object such as a surface (e.g. medical devices, accessories, work surface or tissue) cannot be decontaminated with current sterilisation practices at all or only with inducingmajor damage to the substrate or tissue itself. An applicable innovative technology for the inactivation of pathogenic biomolecules is, therefore, urgently desired. It is proposed to exploit the feasibility of plasma discharges as decontamination device for pathogenic biomolecules. Emerging species from the plasma discharge interact individually as well as simultaneouslywith the biomolecules. It is expected that this reactive particle flux is able to induce alteration and inactivation of biomolecules. This is addressed in a combined approach using low and high-pressure plasma discharges. Different characteristic biomolecules are exposed to the plasmas and the changes induced are monitored. In a second step, the inactivation ofresistant bacterial endospores is explored. The potential applications are in the field of surface decontamination of medical objects and surfaces as well as control of a biological environment. The results of the research will have also an important impact in the field of security and protection of citizens in front of bioterrorism. For instance, atmospheric plasma sources will be developed and validated to serve as a decontamination device in the field. The processes will also be developed to be applicable on large areas for medical applications

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