Destruction of {alpha}-synuclein based amyloid fibrils by a low temperature plasma jet

Journal Article · Mon Oct 04 00:00:00 EDT 2010 · Applied Physics Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3499277· OSTI ID:21467006

Karakas, Erdinc; Laroussi, Mounir ^[1]; Munyanyi, Agatha; Greene, Lesley ^[2]

---

1. Laser and Plasma Engineering Institute, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia 23529 (United States)
2. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia 23529 (United States)

Amyloid fibrils are ordered beta-sheet aggregates that are associated with a number of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer and Parkinson. At present, there is no cure for these progressive and debilitating diseases. Here we report initial studies that indicate that low temperature atmospheric pressure plasma can break amyloid fibrils into smaller units in vitro. The plasma was generated by the 'plasma pencil', a device capable of emitting a long, low temperature plasma plume/jet. This avenue of research may facilitate the development of a plasma-based medical treatment.

• OSTI ID: 21467006
• Journal Information: Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 97, Issue 14; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.3499277; (c) 2010 American Institute of Physics; ISSN 0003-6951
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
IN VITRO
ION TEMPERATURE
NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES
PATIENTS
PLASMA
PLASMA JETS
PLASMA PRESSURE
PROTEINS
DISEASES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS