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Updated: Apr 15, 2026
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Preparing Adherent Cells for X-ray Fluorescence Imaging by Chemical Fixation
Published on: March 12, 2015
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Preparing adherent cells for X-ray fluorescence imaging by chemical fixation
Lydia A Finney1, Qiaoling Jin2
1X-ray Science Division, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory; lfinney@aps.anl.gov.
Journal of Visualized Experiments : Jove
|April 14, 2015
Summary
Chemical fixation prepares adherent mammalian cells for X-ray fluorescence imaging, enabling elemental distribution analysis in chemical biology when cryo-fixation is impractical. This method visualizes metal ions and exogenous elements within cells.
Area of Science:
- Chemical biology
- Materials science
- Geoscience
- Cultural heritage studies
Background:
- X-ray fluorescence (XRF) imaging offers non-destructive, simultaneous elemental analysis over various sample areas.
- Applications span materials science, geoscience, cultural heritage, and chemical biology.
- In chemical biology, XRF visualizes metal distributions in cells, aiding study of endogenous ions and exogenous agents like drugs or nanoparticles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the preparation of adherent mammalian cells using chemical fixation for X-ray fluorescence imaging.
- To provide a practical alternative to cryo-fixation when it is not feasible.
Main Methods:
- Aldehyde-based chemical fixation of adherent mammalian cells.
- Preparation protocols for X-ray fluorescence imaging.
Main Results:
- Detailed methodology for chemical fixation of cells suitable for XRF.
- Demonstration of chemical fixation as a viable alternative to cryo-fixation.
Conclusions:
- Chemical fixation is a useful and sometimes necessary method for preparing biological samples for X-ray fluorescence imaging.
- This technique allows for the visualization of elemental distributions in cells when cryo-fixation is not practical.
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