X-ray microanalysis is a widely used technique in studies of cell and tissue elemental composition. It has applications in many different areas of biology, including animal and plant cell physiology, medicine, pathology and studies on environmental pollution. The author presents an up-to-date look at the use of X-ray microanalysis in biology and discusses the potential of the technique for future research. The author tackles four major aspects of X-ray microanalysis – detection and quantification of X-rays, associated techniques, specimen preparation, and applications. X-ray Microanalysis in Biology is clearly written and highly illustrated, with each section containing chapters by experts in the field.
Preface
Part I. Detection and Quantification of X-Rays
1. Recent developments in X-ray detectors and their relevance in biological X-ray microanalysis C. J. G. Blok-van Hoek
2. Quantitative software for biological applications of X-ray microanalysis R. B. Shen
3. X-ray mapping techniques in biology J. Wood
4. Quantitative X-ray microanalysis of thin sections in biology: appraisal and interpretation of results A. Warley
Part II. Associated Techniques
5. Proton probe microanalysis in biology: general principles and applications for the study of Alzheimer's disease F. Watt
6. Electron energy-loss spectroscopy and electron probe X-ray microanalysis of biological material W. C. De Bruijn
Part III. Specimen Preparation
7. Rapid freezing techniques for biological electron probe microanalysis K. Zierold
8. Radiation damage and low temperature X-ray microanalysis T. Von Zglinicki
9. X-ray microanalysis in histochemistry A. T. Sumner
10. Sprayed microdroplets: methods and applications A. J. Morgan and C. Winters
11. X-ray microanalysis of biological fluids: applications to investigations in renal physiology N. Roinel and C. De Rouffignac
Part IV. Applications
12. Electron probe X-ray microanalysis of bacterial cells: general applications and specific studies on plant pathogenic bacteria D. C. Sigee and N. Hodson
13. Ion localisation in plant cells using the combined techniques of freeze-substitution and X-ray microanalysis M. A. Hajibagheri and T. J. Flowers
14. Electron probe X-ray microanalysis of diffusible ions in cells and tissues from invertebrate animals B. L. Gupta
15. X-ray microanalysis in pollution studies J. A. Nott
16. X-ray microanalysis in biomaterials research H. K. Joeten
17. Applications of X-ray microanalysis in biomedicine: an overview G. M. Roomans
18. X-ray microanalysis of cultured mammalian cells J. Wroblewski