Characterization of strains with gene deletions in the isc or suf operon. Plasma survival rate: Deletion strains were exposed to the effluent of the µAPPJ for 30 s and colony forming units were determined. CFU of plasma-treated and gas-treated cells were set in relation to yield the survival rates. Strains with a plasma survival rate different from the wild type were further characterized. Growth rate: Single-gene deletion strains and the wild type were grown in LB medium and growth rates were determined during log-phase (between min 120 to 180 after inoculation) (see Fig. S1). Activity of [FeS] cluster proteins: Logarithmically growing deletion strains were lysed and enzyme assays were performed for aconitase (ACN), fumarase (FUM), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), and malate dehydrogenase (not containing [FeS] clusters). Means and standard deviation of three independent biological replicates are shown.