In vivo X-ray elemental imaging of single cell model organisms manipulated by laser-based optical tweezers.

ABSTRACT: We report on a radically new elemental imaging approach for the analysis of biological model organisms and single cells in their natural, in vivo state. The methodology combines optical tweezers (OT) technology for non-contact, laser-based sample manipulation with synchrotron radiation confocal X-ray fluorescence (XRF) microimaging for the first time. The main objective of this work is to establish a new method for in vivo elemental imaging in a two-dimensional (2D) projection mode in free-standing biological microorganisms or single cells, present in their aqueous environment. Using the model organism Scrippsiella trochoidea, a first proof of principle experiment at beamline ID13 of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) demonstrates the feasibility of the OT XRF methodology,

SUBMITTER: Vergucht E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4356986 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature