Intracellular concentration map of magnesium in whole cells by combined use of X-ray fluorescence microscopy and atomic force microscopy

• DOI: 10.1016/j.sab.2011.11.002
• Publication Date: 2011-12-10T18:57:44Z
• Authors: Stefano Lagomarsino; Stefano Iotti; Giovanna Farruggia; Alessia Cedola; Valentina Trapani; Michela Fratini; Inna Bukreeva; Andrea Notargiacomo; Lucia Mastrototaro; Chiara Marraccini; Andrea Sorrentino; Ian McNulty; Stefan Vogt; Daniel Legnini; Sangsoo Kim; Alessandra Gianon...; Jeanette A.M. Maier; Federica I. Wolf
• Keywords: X-Ray Fluorescence

Abstract We report a novel experimental approach to derive quantitative concentration map of light elements in whole cells by combining two complementary nano-probe methods: X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XRFM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The concentration is derived by normalizing point-by-point the elemental (here Mg) spatial distribution obtained by XRFM, by the thickness measured using AFM. The considerable difference between the elemental distribution and the concentration maps indicates that this procedure is essential to obtain reliable information on the role and function of elements in whole cells.