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Updated: May 26, 2026

Biomolecular Imaging of Cellular Uptake of Nanoparticles using Multimodal Nonlinear Optical Microscopy
Published on: May 16, 2022
Biomedical applications of the ESRF synchrotron-based microspectroscopy platform
1Inserm U-836, Team 6, Rayonnement Synchrotron et Recherche Médicales, Grenoble Institut des Neurosciences, Grenoble 38042, France. bohic@esrf.fr
Understanding metal ion distribution within cells is crucial for health and disease. Advanced synchrotron techniques offer unprecedented sub-cellular chemical imaging, revealing the role of metals in biology and nanomedicine.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical imaging
- Cellular biology
- Nanomedicine
Background:
- Sub-cellular metal ion distribution is poorly understood.
- Essential metals (zinc, copper, iron) are vital for cell metabolism; dysfunctions link to diseases.
- Metals are used in diagnostics and drugs, raising concerns in nanomedicine due to nanoparticle effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of metal ions in biological systems.
- To showcase advanced microspectroscopy techniques for sub-cellular chemical imaging.
- To demonstrate applications in the biomedical field using synchrotron-based platforms.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing synchrotron-based X-ray and Fourier-transformed infrared microspectroscopies.
- Employing multi-keV microscopy for ultra-low detection limits and high penetration depth.
- Achieving sub-100nm lateral resolutions for sub-cellular chemical imaging.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated capabilities of synchrotron-based techniques for detailed chemical analysis.
- Enabled visualization of metal ion distribution at the sub-cellular level.
- Provided insights into the role of metals in biological processes and nanomedicine.
Conclusions:
- Synchrotron-based microspectroscopies are powerful tools for studying metal ions in biology.
- These techniques offer unique advantages over traditional microscopy for sub-cellular analysis.
- Applications at ESRF highlight the potential for advancing biomedical research and nanomedicine.
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