Objetivo 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 ar e 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, accessor ies, work surface or tissue) cannot be decontaminated with current sterilisation practices at all or only with inducing major 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 simultaneously with the biomolecu les. 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 of resistant 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 Ámbito científico social sciencespolitical sciencespolitical transitionsterrorismnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteins Palabras clave physics plasma plasma physics Programa(s) FP6-POLICIES - Policy support: Specific activities covering wider field of research under the Focusing and Integrating Community Research programme 2002-2006. Tema(s) NEST-2003-1 - Adventure activities Convocatoria de propuestas FP6-2003-NEST-B-1 Consulte otros proyectos de esta convocatoria Régimen de financiación STREP - Specific Targeted Research Project Coordinador RUHR-UNIVERSITAET BOCHUM Aportación de la UE Sin datos Dirección Universitaetsstrasse 150 BOCHUM Alemania Ver en el mapa Enlaces Sitio web Opens in new window Coste total Sin datos Participantes (4) Ordenar alfabéticamente Ordenar por aportación de la UE Ampliar todo Contraer todo ACXYS TECHNOLOGIES Francia Aportación de la UE Sin datos Dirección 148 rue des vingt toises SAINT MARTIN LE VINOUX Ver en el mapa Enlaces Sitio web Opens in new window Coste total Sin datos COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE Francia Aportación de la UE Sin datos Dirección 31-33 Rue de la Féderation PARIS Ver en el mapa Enlaces Sitio web Opens in new window Coste total Sin datos COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES - DIRECTORATE GENERAL JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE Bélgica Aportación de la UE Sin datos Dirección Rue de la Loi, 200 BRUSSELS Ver en el mapa Enlaces Sitio web Opens in new window Coste total Sin datos FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V. Alemania Aportación de la UE Sin datos Dirección Hansastrasse 27 C MUENCHEN Ver en el mapa Enlaces Sitio web Opens in new window Coste total Sin datos