Mechanisms of Plasma Medicine: Coupling Plasma Physics, Biochemistry, and Biology

Low temperature plasma (LTP) has emerged in the last decade as a novel and promising therapy for wound and skin decontamination, promotion of wound healing, cancer remission, control of wound-resident multidrug resistant bacteria, and dental and cosmetic applications, among others. Progress has been rapid in developing clinically useful devices and many studies are underway worldwide. Mechanisms of plasma therapeutics are beginning to be understood but much remains to be explored. This review focuses on mechanisms coupling the physics and chemistry of LTPs to medically relevant biochemistry and biology.