Remote and direct plasma processing of cells: How to induce a desired behavior

The interplay between plasma processes and the biological environment is a long and intriguing story that spans different applications, from surface modification of biomaterials to the direct interaction of plasma with cells. This makes plasma processes very powerful tools in such biomedical fields as tissue engineering and sterilization, which are much different than the typical field in which plasmas are used. In vitro cell culture experiments represent the best way to fully understand the more subtle and fundamental interactions between the chemical species produced by glow discharge and cells. Among the different kind of cells that can be used, cell lines allow high reproducibility and control of results. This article reviews 3 main items, ranging from low-pressure plasma modifications of 2-and 3-dimensional materials to dielectric barrier discharges directly on cells, with respect to the authors' scientific work.