Correlative single-cell hard X-ray computed tomography and X-ray fluorescence imaging.

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Biophysics
• Imaging Science

Background:

• X-ray computed tomography (XCT) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) are powerful non-invasive imaging techniques.
• Current limitations include challenges in sample preparation and radiation damage, hindering correlative imaging of single cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an integrated workflow for correlative multi-modality X-ray imaging of individual cells.
• To overcome sample preparation and radiation damage issues in X-ray imaging.

Main Methods:

• Developed radiation-resistant single-cell sample preparation using live-cell imaging-assisted chemical fixation and freeze-drying.
• Integrated XCT and XRF measurements for the same cell.
• Employed computational reconstruction for correlative multi-modality image generation.

Main Results:

• Successfully visualized cellular structures and intracellular organelles using XCT.
• Revealed the distribution of multiple chemical elements within the same cell using XRF.
• Demonstrated the feasibility of correlative multi-modality X-ray imaging for single cells.

Conclusions:

• The developed workflow enables simultaneous visualization of cellular morphology and elemental composition.
• This technique offers broad applicability for studying cellular structures and the roles of chemical elements in biological processes.
• Provides a new tool for understanding cellular signaling and related biological mechanisms.