The research area "Environment and Health" is focused on future markets in the life science sector. The main research areas are: Bioactive Surfaces, Plasma Medicine and Decontamination. The close cooperation of physicists, biologists, chemists, pharmacists, physicians and engineers with highly specialized technicians and laboratory staff is unique in the world. 

The research focus "Plasma Medicine" deals with an innovative research field at the interface between physics and life sciences, which has been experiencing an immense international upswing for several years. So-called cold atmospheric pressure plasmas are generated with the aid of special plasma devices in order to achieve medical effects directly on or in the patient. Currently, the main field of application is the treatment of chronic, infected wounds and pathogen-related skin diseases.

Plasma can be used to inactivate many types of microorganisms including multi-resistant bacteria such as MRSA. In addition, clinical studies demonstrate that plasma supports natural wound healing by stimulating new tissue formation, thereby enhancing the healing process of poorly healing chronic wounds. Recent research results also indicate a possible benefit in the inactivation of tumor cells with longer or more intensive plasma treatments. This raises hopes for new perspectives in cancer treatment.