Correlative single-cell X-ray tomography and X-ray fluorescence imaging

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2023.08.03.551868v1?rss=1 Authors: Lin, Z., Zhang, X., Nandi, P., Lin, Y., Wang, L., Chu, Y., Paape, T., Yang, Y., Xiao, X., Liu, Q. Abstract: X-ray tomography and x-ray fluorescence imaging are two non-invasive imaging techniques to study cellular structures and chemical element distributions, respectively. However, correlative X-ray tomography and fluorescence imaging for the same cell has yet to be routinely realized due to challenges in sample preparation and X-ray radiation damage. Here we report an integrated experimental and computational workflow for achieving correlative multi-modality X-ray imaging of a single cell. The method consists of the preparation of radiation-resistant single-cell samples using live-cell imaging-assisted chemical fixation and freeze-drying procedures, targeting and labeling cells for correlative x-ray tomography and x-ray fluorescence measurement, and computational reconstruction of the correlative and multi-modality images. With X-ray tomography, cellular structures including the overall structure and intracellular organelles are visualized, while X-ray fluorescence imaging reveals the distribution of multiple chemical elements within the same cell. Our correlative method demonstrates the feasibility and broad applicability of using X-rays to understand cellular structures and the roles of multiple chemical elements and related proteins in signaling and other biological processes. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info Podcast created by Paper Player, LLC