Foreword
 Plasmas, especially non-thermal (cold) plasmas maintained close to room temperature, have recently found many
 breakthrough applications in biology, medicine, and security. Plasmas can efficiently kill bacteria, yeasts and molds and other
 hazardous microorganisms, including potential bio-terrorism agents, even spores and biofilms that are generally very difficult
 to inactivate. Cold plasma generated by electrical discharges can be employed for bio-decontamination and sterilization of
 surfaces, medical instruments, water, air, food, even of living tissues without causing their damage and other side effects,
 and represents a great potential in medicine and defense against terrorism. The sterilizing effect of plasma treatment can
 be attributed to several synergic mechanisms, including the UV radiation, electric field, charged particles, and generated
 radicals and reactive species. However, plasma induced biomedical processes are still mostly regarded as an efficient 'black
 box'. Deeper understanding of these mechanisms and their roles and synergies is absolutely necessary.

 Direct or indirect plasma interaction with living cells of microorganisms or even humans is a new quickly developing field
 issuing in many bio-medical in vivo applications, e.g. for the treatment of foot ulcer and skin diseases. Cold plasma can also
 stop bleeding, making it effective in some surgical procedures and in treating intestinal ulcers and persistent nosebleeds.
 Enhanced blood coagulation and wound healing open up new vistas in military and defense applications. Plasma treatment
 also allows cell manipulations, their removal and targeted transfer into the injured area, which could also be used to
 accelerate wound healing. Plasma induced apoptosis (programmed cell death) of melanoma or other tumor cells in vivo
 and in vitro is being successfully tested, which brings forth a great potential for cancer treatment.

 There is no doubt that multidisciplinary approach of plasma physicists, microbiologists, medical doctors and engineers is
 required here. The proposed advanced research workshop therefore aims at bringing experts in these fields together and
 letting them exchange their knowledge and interact. Such a gathering will potentially have an important impact on broadening
 the scientific and technological knowledge in this novel multidisciplinary area, on practical applications of plasmas in biology
 and medicine. It will expectedly promote close working relationships between scientists from different countries and with
 different professional experience.

 We believe that beautiful Jasna mountain resort in Demanovska dolina, Slovakia, in late winter time will become a perfect
 place for a scientific, as well as a social aspect of this workshop. The workshop is sponsored by the NATO Science for Peace
 and Security programme and co-sponsored by the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics of Comenius University
 in Bratislava. We are hosting 52 regular NATO-funded participants from 18 countries, thoroughly selected by the scientific
 committee based on their abstracts and following the NATO rules for advanced research workshops. Besides, several
 self-paid participants/observers and accompanying persons are participating. The scientific program comprises 10 key
 lectures, 27 oral presentations, and 21 posters. The event would not be possible without a hard work of 2 secretaries and
 4 staff members of the local organizing committee.

 This 144-page book contains 58 one- or two-page abstracts. No editorial corrections pertaining to the contents of the
 submitted abstracts were made and therefore the authors are fully responsible for the content of their contributions.
 The selected full papers, after successful peer review, will be published in a Springer book - NATO Science for Peace
 and Security Series - A: Chemistry and Biology. Welcome to Jasna and deeply focus at hot scientific topics guarantied by
 the top class experts. Besides science, enjoy the surrounding mountains at 1200 m altitude, snow, food and drinks and
 especially the time spent together.

 Zdenko Machala and Yuri Akishev,
 NATO ARW co-directors