X-ray fluorescence in Member States: Applications of Large Area XRF Mapping of Metals in Biology at the Australian Synchrotron

Large area, rapid, XRF mapping is giving rise to new visualization of metals in biology. These examples demonstrate the ability to image large samples and/or many more samples at high resolution than previously feasible. Along with improved sensitivity and data processing this is providing statistics and insight into biological transport and fate relevant to numerous aspects of environmental, health and medical research. Rapid scanning provides images with less damage incurred by the sample and facilitates analysis with other modalities. For smaller samples it also enables XRF tomography in acceptable time frames (i.e. on the order of 10-15 hours for 100 rotations). Another technique to further evolve with this technology is the power to conduct X ray absorption near edge spectroscopic mapping by which large areas of chemical speciation can be imaged. It is expected that XRF imaging will contribute significantly more to biological sciences and research than what has typically been practical. (author)