Broadening the Workflow for Synchrotron-Based X-Ray Fluorescence and X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy Imaging of Low-Abundance Cellular Metals

Metals play an essential role in cellular homeostasis and are key components of several formulations currently used in the clinic. Synchrotron-based X-ray microscopy at submicron resolution is a powerful approach to map intracellular elemental distributions and to monitor how these patterns change u...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Tamargo Azpilicueta, Joaquín, Giner Arroyo, Rafael Luis, Rivero-García, Pablo, Díaz-Moreno, Sofía, Gómez González, Miguel A, Telfer, Abbey, Campanella, Michelangelo, Rosa Acosta, Miguel Ángel de la, Díaz Moreno, Irene
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2026
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Sevilla (US)
Repositorio:idUS. Depósito de Investigación de la Universidad de Sevilla
OAI Identifier:oai:dnet:idus________::2e5cab247861029a7cbffe548f234fb6
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/11441/186062
https://doi.org/10.1002/cmtd.202500152
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Metallomics
Metalloproteins
Spectromicroscopy
X-ray absorption spectroscopy
X-ray fluorescence microscopy
Descripción
Sumario:Metals play an essential role in cellular homeostasis and are key components of several formulations currently used in the clinic. Synchrotron-based X-ray microscopy at submicron resolution is a powerful approach to map intracellular elemental distributions and to monitor how these patterns change upon genetic or pharmacological perturbations. However, existing sample-preparation protocols often rely on costly and highly specialized equipment for vitrification and dehydration, limiting their widespread adoption. Here, we present an adapted plunge-freezing and freeze-drying workflow that enables the preparation of mammalian cell samples for X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) studies with submicron resolution in a cost-effective and versatile manner. Furthermore, we define acquisition parameters optimized for the reliable detection of low-abundance metals, such as endogenous iron. We anticipate that this accessible protocol will facilitate the broader implementation of synchrotron-based inner-shell spectromicroscopy in cell biology.