Visualizing Metal Distribution in Plants Using Synchrotron X-Ray Fluorescence Microscopy Techniques

Ju-Chen Chia; Arthur R Woll; Louisa Smieska; Olena K Vatamaniuk

doi:10.1007/978-1-0716-3183-6_14

Visualizing Metal Distribution in Plants Using Synchrotron X-Ray Fluorescence Microscopy Techniques

Methods Mol Biol. 2023:2665:177-189. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3183-6_14.

Authors

Ju-Chen Chia¹, Arthur R Woll², Louisa Smieska², Olena K Vatamaniuk³

Affiliations

¹ Plant Biology Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
² Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS), Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
³ Plant Biology Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA. okv2@cornell.edu.

PMID: 37166601
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3183-6_14

Abstract

Recent improvements in synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence (SXRF) microscopy established it as an advanced analytical tool for analyzing 2D- and 3D distribution of mineral elements in plants. Among existing imaging techniques, SXRF microscopy offers several unique capabilities, including in situ metal quantification in plant tissues and high sensitivity, as low as 1 mg kg^-1, at the nanoscale spatial resolution. SXRF is increasingly utilized in different plant science disciplines to provide a fundamental understanding of metal homeostasis, and the function of trace elements in plant metabolism and development. Here, we describe methods for SXRF imaging, including sample preparation, the optimization of conventional SXRF for analyzing trace elements, and the development of confocal SXRF (C-SXRF).

Keywords: Confocal; Copper; In situ analysis; Iron; Metallomics; Plants; Spatial distribution; Synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence microscopy.

Publication types

Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Metals / metabolism
Microscopy, Fluorescence
Plants / metabolism
Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission / methods
Synchrotrons
Trace Elements*
X-Rays

Substances

Trace Elements
Metals