biostudies-literatureBurchert JPBundesministerium für Bildung und ForschungDeutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft923-935https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11226146biostudies-literatureUnknown31(Pt 4)X-rays can penetrate deeply into biological cells and thus allow for examination of their internal structures with high spatial resolution. In this study, X-ray phase-contrast imaging and tomography is combined with an X-ray-compatible optical stretcher and microfluidic sample delivery. Using this setup, individual cells can be kept in suspension while they are examined with the X-ray beam at a synchrotron. From the recorded holograms, 2D phase shift images that are proportional to the projected local electron density of the investigated cell can be calculated. From the tomographic reconstruction of multiple such projections the 3D electron density can be obtained. The cells can thus be studied in a hydrated or even living state, thus avoiding artifacts from freezing, drying or embedding, Journal of synchrotron radiationX-ray phase-contrast tomography of cells manipulated with an optical stretcher.PMC11226146BMBF05K22MG3DAPHNE4NFDI-460248799EXC 2067/1-390729940KO 3572/7-1-429958739BMBF05K19MG3RTG 2756-449750155Burchert JPSalditt TBusse MYu BOsterhoff MStange RFrohn JBruns HRolleke UGleber SCKoster SfalseX-ray phase-contrast tomography of cells manipulated with an optical stretcher.X-rays can penetrate deeply into biological cells and thus allow for examination of their internal structures with high spatial resolution. In this study, X-ray phase-contrast imaging and tomography is combined with an X-ray-compatible optical stretcher and microfluidic sample delivery. Using this setup, individual cells can be kept in suspension while they are examined with the X-ray beam at a synchrotron. From the recorded holograms, 2D phase shift images that are proportional to the projected local electron density of the investigated cell can be calculated. From the tomographic reconstruction of multiple such projections the 3D electron density can be obtained. The cells can thus be studied in a hydrated or even living state, thus avoiding artifacts from freezing, drying or embedding, 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Jul2025-04-04T19:22:48.015Z2025-04-04T19:22:48.015ZS-EPMC112261463886137010.1107/S1600577524003618