“Plasma medicine” refers to a new, interdisciplinary area of study where an ionized gas (plasma) is applied on living tissue for medical purposes. The first steps in the field of biomedical applications of cold atmospheric pressure plasmas have only been taken recently, approximately a decade ago. Yet, in this short time this field of research has rapidly grown due to incredible results CAPs have in killing bacteria of all types, deactivation of spores and fungi, in vivo studies have shown success in (chronic) wound healing, even cancer treatment. Plasma medicine requires a thoroughly interdisciplinary approach, from fundamental plasma physics, chemistry, biology, to medicine, to understand the mechanisms at all levels.

The A-CAPTIC project is an Alliance project between UU, UMCU and TU/e focusing on the applications of plasmas on bacteria and cancer and covering the whole interdisciplinary chain.