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Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Biological Samples Preparation for Speciation at Cryogenic Temperature using High-Resolution X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy
Published on: May 27, 2022
X-ray spectroscopy and imaging of selenium in living systems
Natalia V Dolgova1, Susan Nehzati1, Sanjukta Choudhury1
1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 114 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N5E2, Canada.
Background:
Selenium is an essential element with a rich and varied chemistry in living organisms. It plays a variety of important roles ranging from being essential in enzymes that are critical for redox homeostasis to acting as a deterrent for herbivory in hyperaccumulating plants. Despite its importance there are many open questions, especially related to its chemistry in situ within living organisms.
Scope Of Review:
This review discusses X-ray spectroscopy and imaging of selenium in biological samples, with an emphasis on the methods, and in particular the techniques of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray fluorescence imaging (XFI). We discuss the experimental methods and capabilities of XAS and XFI, and review their advantages and their limitations. A perspective on future possibilities and next-generation of experiments is also provided.
Major Conclusions:
XAS and XFI provide powerful probes of selenium chemistry, together with unique in situ capabilities. The opportunities and capabilities of the next generation of advanced X-ray spectroscopy experiments are particularly exciting.
General Significance:
XAS and XFI provide versatile tools that are generally applicable to any element with a convenient X-ray absorption edge, suitable for investigating complex systems essentially without pre-treatment.
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