Biomedical Application of Soft X-ray Microscopy with Special Reference to Spectromicroscopy

A. Itoa, T. Inoue b, M. Kado c, T. Ohigashi d, S. Tone e and K. Shinohara a aSchool of Engineering, Tokai University, Hiratsuka 259-1292, Japan bKao Corporation, Odawara, Kanagawa 250-0002, Japan cJapan Atomic Energy Agency, Kizugawa 619-0215, Japan dUVSOR Facility, Institute for Molecular Science, Okazaki 444-8585, Japan eDepartment of Biochemistry, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki 701-0192, Japan

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Soft X-ray microscopy has great advantages over other types of microscopy on the observation of hydrated specimens at high spatial resolution below 100 nm, and on the elemental and molecular mapping using absorption characteristics. These advantages are particularly suitable for biomedical applications. A possible problem associated with observation of specimens at high spatial resolution in a hydrated environment is described and a strategy to overcome the problem is presented. The latter part of the present report deals with spectromicroscopy to obtain molecular distribution in biological specimens. DNA and protein distributions in isolated nuclei are examined following to the progression of apoptosis at high resolution, and the oxidation product is visualized in human hair in relation to calcium content.

DOI: 10.12693/APhysPolA.129.260 PACS numbers: 87.59.-e