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Related Concept Videos

Electron Microscope Tomography and Single-particle Reconstruction01:07

Electron Microscope Tomography and Single-particle Reconstruction

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) can be used to determine the 3D structure of biological samples with the help of techniques such as electron microscope tomography and single-particle reconstruction. While single-particle reconstruction can examine macromolecules and macromolecular complexes in vitro conditions only, tomography permits the study of cell components or small cells in vivo.
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X-ray Diffraction of Biological Samples01:10

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According to Bragg's law, when X-rays strike the sample positioned on a stage, the rays are  scattered by the electron clouds around the sample atoms. The  X-ray diffraction or scattering is caused by constructive interference of the X-ray waves that reflect off the internal crystal...
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X-ray Imaging

German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen (1845–1923) was experimenting with electrical current when he discovered that a mysterious and invisible "ray" would pass through his flesh but leave an outline of his bones on a screen coated with a metal compound. In 1895, Röntgen made the first durable record of the internal parts of a living human: an "X-ray" image (as it came to be called) of his wife’s hand. Scientists worldwide quickly began their own experiments with X-rays, and by 1900, X-ray was widely...
Super-resolution Fluorescence Microscopy01:37

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X-ray Crystallography02:18

X-ray Crystallography

The size of the unit cell and the arrangement of atoms in a crystal may be determined from measurements of the diffraction of X-rays by the crystal, termed X-ray crystallography.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Non-invasive 3D-Visualization with Sub-micron Resolution Using Synchrotron-X-ray-tomography
08:51

Non-invasive 3D-Visualization with Sub-micron Resolution Using Synchrotron-X-ray-tomography

Published on: May 27, 2008

Hard X-ray fluorescence tomography--an emerging tool for structural visualization.

Martin D de Jonge1, Stefan Vogt

  • 1Australian Synchrotron, 800 Blackburn Road, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia. martin.dejonge@synchrotron.org.au

Current Opinion in Structural Biology
|October 12, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Hard X-ray fluorescence microscopy enables in-situ analysis of trace metals in biological tissues. Future advancements promise faster, higher-resolution X-ray fluorescence tomography for cell imaging.

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Preparing Adherent Cells for X-ray Fluorescence Imaging by Chemical Fixation

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Non-invasive 3D-Visualization with Sub-micron Resolution Using Synchrotron-X-ray-tomography
08:51

Non-invasive 3D-Visualization with Sub-micron Resolution Using Synchrotron-X-ray-tomography

Published on: May 27, 2008

A 3D Cartographic Description of the Cell by Cryo Soft X-ray Tomography
08:47

A 3D Cartographic Description of the Cell by Cryo Soft X-ray Tomography

Published on: March 15, 2021

Preparing Adherent Cells for X-ray Fluorescence Imaging by Chemical Fixation
07:54

Preparing Adherent Cells for X-ray Fluorescence Imaging by Chemical Fixation

Published on: March 12, 2015

Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Cell Biology
  • Microscopy

Background:

  • Hard X-ray fluorescence microscopy offers in-situ analysis of trace metal distributions in biological tissues.
  • Sub-parts-per-million detection limits are achievable in whole cells.
  • X-ray fluorescence tomography provides structural visualization due to X-ray penetration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review advancements and applications of X-ray fluorescence tomography in biological research.
  • To discuss complementary approaches for improved imaging fidelity and reduced experiment duration.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing hard X-ray fluorescence microscopy for trace metal distribution analysis.
  • Employing X-ray fluorescence tomography for structural visualization of biological samples.
  • Exploring developments in X-ray resolution, detector speed, and cryogenic environments.

Main Results:

  • Sub-500-nm tomography has been achieved on 10-μm cells.
  • Current limitations in experiment duration and imaging fidelity are being addressed.
  • Advancements are being pursued within the synchrotron community.

Conclusions:

  • Complementary X-ray fluorescence tomography approaches will soon be routinely available to biologists.
  • These techniques will enhance the study of trace metal distributions in biological systems.
  • The review covers biological applications and future directions in the field.