Ebook: Electron Probe Microanalysis: Applications in Biology and Medicine

The aim of electron probe microanalysis of biological systems is to identify, localize, and quantify elements, mass, and water in cells and tissues. The method is based on the idea that all electrons and photons emerging from an electron beam irradiated specimen contain information on its structure and composition. In particular, energy spectroscopy of X-rays and electrons after interaction of the electron beam with the specimen is used for this purpose. However, the application of this method in biology and medicine has to overcome three specific problems: 1. The principle constituent of most cell samples is water. Since liquid water is not compatible with vacuum conditions in the electron microscope, specimens have to be prepared without disturbing the other components, in parti­ cular diffusible ions (elements). 2. Electron probe microanaly­ sis provides physical data on either dry specimens or fully hydrated, frozen specimens. This data usually has to be con­ verted into quantitative data meaningful to the cell biologist or physiologist. 3. Cells and tissues are not static but dynamic systems. Thus, for example, microanalysis of physiolo­ gical processes requires sampling techniques which are adapted to address specific biological or medical questions. During recent years, remarkable progress has been made to overcome these problems. Cryopreparation, image analysis, and electron energy loss spectroscopy are key areas which have solved some problems and offer promise for future improvements.

---

The purpose of Electron Probe Microanalysis of biological systems is to identify, localize, and quantify elements, mass, and water in cells and tissues. The method itself is based on the idea that all electrons and photons emerging from a specimen irradiated by an electron beam, contain information on its structure and composition. Seven contributions concentrate on progress and problems of data acquisition and evaluation in X-ray microanalysis and electron energy loss spectroscopy, whereas the main topics cover the application of electron probe microanalysis in biological research: intracellular element localization, studies of epithelial iron transport and of dynamic processes in cells. Two reviews consider the application of this method in medicine, particularly in pathology and diagnosis.

---

The purpose of Electron Probe Microanalysis of biological systems is to identify, localize, and quantify elements, mass, and water in cells and tissues. The method itself is based on the idea that all electrons and photons emerging from a specimen irradiated by an electron beam, contain information on its structure and composition. Seven contributions concentrate on progress and problems of data acquisition and evaluation in X-ray microanalysis and electron energy loss spectroscopy, whereas the main topics cover the application of electron probe microanalysis in biological research: intracellular element localization, studies of epithelial iron transport and of dynamic processes in cells. Two reviews consider the application of this method in medicine, particularly in pathology and diagnosis.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages I-XVI
The History of Electron Probe Microanalysis in Biology....Pages 1-15
Specimen Preparation and Other Limitations in Quantitative Eletron Probe X-Ray Microanalysis (EPXMA) Using Ultrathin Sections....Pages 17-32
Freeze-Substitution and Low Temperature Embedding for Analytical Electron Microscopy....Pages 33-46
Ensuring the Validity of Results in Biological X-Ray Microanalysis....Pages 47-58
The Subcellular Accumulation of Toxic Heavy Metals: Qualitative and Quantitative X-Ray Microanalysis....Pages 59-72
X-Ray Microanalysis of Cryosections Using Image Analysis....Pages 73-85
Electron Probe X-Ray Microanalysis in the Silkmoth Antenna — Problems with Quantification in Ultrathin Cryosections....Pages 87-97
Progress in Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopic Imaging and Analysing Biological Specimens with a Field Emission Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope....Pages 99-112
Application of Parallel-Detection Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy in Biology....Pages 113-125
Resin Based Standards for Biological Energy Dispersive X-Ray and Electron Energy Loss Microanalysis....Pages 127-138
Imaging and Microanalysis by Electron Spectroscopy....Pages 139-151
Application of X-Ray Microanalysis and Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy to Studies of Secretory Cell Biology....Pages 153-168
X-Ray Microanalysis of Freshly Isolated Cells in Suspension....Pages 169-179
X-Ray Microanalysis and Free Calcium Measurements in Cultured Neonatal Rat Ventricular Myocytes....Pages 181-197
1 ?m Thick Frozen Hydrated/Dried Sections for Analysing Pericellular Environment in Transport Epithelia; New Results from Old Data....Pages 199-212
Distribution of Ions and Water in Epithelial Cells and Tissues....Pages 213-224
Characterization of Electrolyte Transport Mechanisms and Compartments by the Use of the Markers Rb and Br....Pages 225-236
Electron Probe Analysis of Transport Properties of Cultured Cells....Pages 237-249
Quantitative X-Ray Elemental Mapping of Dynamic Physiologic Events in Skeletal Muscle....Pages 251-264
Single Isolated Cardiac Myocytes Frozen During Voltage-Clamp Pulses: A Technique for Correlating X-Ray Microanalysis Data on Calcium Distribution with Calcium Inward Current in the Same Cell....Pages 265-279
X-Ray Microanalysis of Fast Exocytotic Processes....Pages 281-292
Electron Probe Microanalysis in Pathology....Pages 293-304
Microprobe Analysis in Medicine — Present Practice and Future Trends....Pages 305-316
Back Matter....Pages 317-323

---

The purpose of Electron Probe Microanalysis of biological systems is to identify, localize, and quantify elements, mass, and water in cells and tissues. The method itself is based on the idea that all electrons and photons emerging from a specimen irradiated by an electron beam, contain information on its structure and composition. Seven contributions concentrate on progress and problems of data acquisition and evaluation in X-ray microanalysis and electron energy loss spectroscopy, whereas the main topics cover the application of electron probe microanalysis in biological research: intracellular element localization, studies of epithelial iron transport and of dynamic processes in cells. Two reviews consider the application of this method in medicine, particularly in pathology and diagnosis.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages I-XVI
The History of Electron Probe Microanalysis in Biology....Pages 1-15
Specimen Preparation and Other Limitations in Quantitative Eletron Probe X-Ray Microanalysis (EPXMA) Using Ultrathin Sections....Pages 17-32
Freeze-Substitution and Low Temperature Embedding for Analytical Electron Microscopy....Pages 33-46
Ensuring the Validity of Results in Biological X-Ray Microanalysis....Pages 47-58
The Subcellular Accumulation of Toxic Heavy Metals: Qualitative and Quantitative X-Ray Microanalysis....Pages 59-72
X-Ray Microanalysis of Cryosections Using Image Analysis....Pages 73-85
Electron Probe X-Ray Microanalysis in the Silkmoth Antenna — Problems with Quantification in Ultrathin Cryosections....Pages 87-97
Progress in Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopic Imaging and Analysing Biological Specimens with a Field Emission Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope....Pages 99-112
Application of Parallel-Detection Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy in Biology....Pages 113-125
Resin Based Standards for Biological Energy Dispersive X-Ray and Electron Energy Loss Microanalysis....Pages 127-138
Imaging and Microanalysis by Electron Spectroscopy....Pages 139-151
Application of X-Ray Microanalysis and Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy to Studies of Secretory Cell Biology....Pages 153-168
X-Ray Microanalysis of Freshly Isolated Cells in Suspension....Pages 169-179
X-Ray Microanalysis and Free Calcium Measurements in Cultured Neonatal Rat Ventricular Myocytes....Pages 181-197
1 ?m Thick Frozen Hydrated/Dried Sections for Analysing Pericellular Environment in Transport Epithelia; New Results from Old Data....Pages 199-212
Distribution of Ions and Water in Epithelial Cells and Tissues....Pages 213-224
Characterization of Electrolyte Transport Mechanisms and Compartments by the Use of the Markers Rb and Br....Pages 225-236
Electron Probe Analysis of Transport Properties of Cultured Cells....Pages 237-249
Quantitative X-Ray Elemental Mapping of Dynamic Physiologic Events in Skeletal Muscle....Pages 251-264
Single Isolated Cardiac Myocytes Frozen During Voltage-Clamp Pulses: A Technique for Correlating X-Ray Microanalysis Data on Calcium Distribution with Calcium Inward Current in the Same Cell....Pages 265-279
X-Ray Microanalysis of Fast Exocytotic Processes....Pages 281-292
Electron Probe Microanalysis in Pathology....Pages 293-304
Microprobe Analysis in Medicine — Present Practice and Future Trends....Pages 305-316
Back Matter....Pages 317-323
....