According to the Center for Bioelectrics at Old Dominion University, bioelectrics is a particularly active field in the area of cancer research. It has been found that electrical impulses can be used to kill living cells, such as bacteria in food. Scientists are hoping to expand this technique to kill unwanted cells in the human body, such as cancer cells, fat cells, and warts. It is believed that electrical impulses can also be used at a lower level to accelerate the functioning of cells. DNA transfer and other cell processes can be sped up in order to promote cell activity. Experiments indicate that electricity is involved in healing and growth of the skin and bone (Gerrow).

Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion Univ.

Using electrical current, a gas can be ionized to become a plasma. Cold, high-pressure plasmas can be used on living cells to induce apoptosis, or death of the death. The process can be used for decontamination.

BBC news, 2003

The image on the left displays E. coli cells prior to being treated with the plasma, while the right image shows the cells afterwards.

© 2005 Ana Marx