Plasma-on-Chip: A microdevice for guiding cell fate

Abstract

For changing and directing cell fate, various external stimuli have been used. Plasma, the forth state of matter, has become available for those applications by recent technological advancement. In addition to selected cell killing and promotion of cell proliferation, plasma can be used to affect cell differentiation. To elucidate how the plasma affects cell fate, a microdevice referred to as Plasma-on-Chip was developed. By taking advantage of micro air-liquid interface formed in the microdevice, cells in liquid medium can be located in the vicinity of gaseous plasma. The microdevice achieved direct plasma exposure of cultured cells for changing and directing cell fate. Here, results and future prospects of studies utilizing the Plasma-on-Chip are described.