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, recently implemented in TwinMic scanning transmission mode, has opened up new opportunities for mapping the distribution of the light elements, complemented by morphology information provided by simultaneous acquisition of absorption and phase contrast images. The important new information that can be obtained in bio-related research domains is demonstrated by two pilot experiments with specimens of interest for marine biology and food science. They demonstrate the potential to yield important insights into the structural and compositional enrichment, distribution and correlation of essential trace elements in the lorica of Tintinnopsis radix, and the lateral distribution of trace nutrients in the seeds of wheat Triticum aestivum.