Biological X-ray Fluorescence Microscopy: Advances and Unique Opportunities

Forensic applications of X-ray fluorescence microscopy

The development of highly efficient X-ray optics has allowed the development of bench-top XRF systems which have high intensity X-ray beams with diameters ranging from 10 micrometres through to a few millimetres. Coupled with integrated high magnification optical cameras, these systems are ideally suited to the needs of the forensic scientist. A microscopic particle from a crime scene can be an...

X-Ray Fluorescence Microtomography in Biological Applications

Low-energy X-ray fluorescence microscopy opening new opportunities for bio-related research.

Biological systems are unique matter with very complex morphology and highly heterogeneous chemical composition dominated by light elements. Discriminating qualitatively at the sub-micrometer level the lateral distribution of constituent elements, and correlating it to the sub-cellular biological structure, continues to be a challenge. The low-energy X-ray fluorescence microspectroscopy, recent...

Biological applications of X-ray fluorescence microscopy: exploring the subcellular topography and speciation of transition metals.

Synchrotron X-ray fluorescence microscopy (SXRF) is a microanalytical technique for the quantitative mapping of elemental distributions. Among currently available imaging modalities, SXRF is the only technique that is compatible with fully hydrated biological samples such as whole cells or tissue sections, while simultaneously offering trace element sensitivity and submicron spatial resolution....

Inorganic Signatures of Physiology: The X-Ray Fluorescence Microscopy Revolution