Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
group
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Mia Nilsen, Violet Ochrietor, Sophomore Arden Rodriguez, Ally Schwennesen
Lead Presenter's Name
Violet Ochrietor
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Arts and Sciences
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Emel Sen Kilic
Abstract
Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that may present as a real and increased risk during long-term spaceflight due to radiation exposure and limited treatment options. Non-Thermal Plasma (NTP) has emerged as a promising therapeutic tool due to its ability to generate reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS) that affect cellular functioning without causing temperature related damage to surrounding tissues. This project investigates the effects of NTP on melanoma cells through a biological examination of exposure time, frequency of plasma, and cellular growth conditions. Human melanoma cells and keratinocytes will be cultured and exposed to the varying NTP durations, including control conditions with no exposure, and experimental conditions ranging from 1 to 3 minutes. Additional trial groups will serve to evaluate how changes in plasma frequency and differences in chemical environment influence cellular response. The primary outcome includes cell viability and the proportion of cells destroyed following NTP treatment, and the secondary analysis will examine potential changes in protein expression and gene activity. By comparing the effects of the NTP treatment across these conditions, the study aims to identify treatment parameters that effectively reduce melanoma survival while minimizing the harm to normal skin cells. These findings may contribute to the development of effective novel therapies pertaining to melanoma, and further support future medical countermeasures for astronaut health.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
Analysis of Non-Thermal Plasma’s Effects on Melanoma: A Biological Examination
Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that may present as a real and increased risk during long-term spaceflight due to radiation exposure and limited treatment options. Non-Thermal Plasma (NTP) has emerged as a promising therapeutic tool due to its ability to generate reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS) that affect cellular functioning without causing temperature related damage to surrounding tissues. This project investigates the effects of NTP on melanoma cells through a biological examination of exposure time, frequency of plasma, and cellular growth conditions. Human melanoma cells and keratinocytes will be cultured and exposed to the varying NTP durations, including control conditions with no exposure, and experimental conditions ranging from 1 to 3 minutes. Additional trial groups will serve to evaluate how changes in plasma frequency and differences in chemical environment influence cellular response. The primary outcome includes cell viability and the proportion of cells destroyed following NTP treatment, and the secondary analysis will examine potential changes in protein expression and gene activity. By comparing the effects of the NTP treatment across these conditions, the study aims to identify treatment parameters that effectively reduce melanoma survival while minimizing the harm to normal skin cells. These findings may contribute to the development of effective novel therapies pertaining to melanoma, and further support future medical countermeasures for astronaut health.