Development of an experimental system for cell viability assays of yeasts using gas-temperature controllable plasma jets

The characteristics of a gas-temperature-controllable atmospheric-pressure helium plasma jet and the development of an experimental system for cell viability assays of yeasts (fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe and budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae) are reported. The physicochemical properties of the plasma plume, which can maintain the temperature of the irradiated object at a temperature suitable for yeast, were not significantly different from those of a typical helium plasma jet. Furthermore, good reproducibility of cell viability was observed when gas temperature, gas flow rate, applied high voltage, and irradiation distance remained fixed, and only irradiation time was used as a parameter. This experimental system allows us to carry out various experiments, such as the search for plasma-resistant mutants that will contribute to the identification of genes involved in resistance to direct plasma irradiation.

Automated summary

The characteristics of a gas-temperature-controllable atmospheric-pressure helium plasma jet and the development of an experimental system for cell viability assays of yeasts are described. The physicochemical properties of the plasma plume were similar to those of a typical helium plasma jet and allowed for maintaining a temperature suitable for yeast. The experimental system showed good reproducibility of cell viability and can be used for various experiments, including the identification of genes involved in resistance to direct plasma irradiation.