A high throughput, high resolution, and high sensitivity scanning X-ray fluoresce

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Trace elements are well known to have critical roles in a wide variety of diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Wilson's diseases. Due to their biological importance, there have been numerous studies performed with spectroscopy techniques such as laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) to understand absolute concentration values in tissue. More recent developments in synchrotron X-ray Fluorescence (XRF)have enabled rapid high resolution mapping of absolute concentration values, and, significantly, the quantitative distribution analysis of multiple trace elements at once. Such systems provide up to parts-per-billion sensitivity to map trace elements at micron- scale resolution in diseased tissue. We propose to develop a laboratory scanning X-ray fluorescence microprobe for the biomedical community that will make it possible for the first time to bring trace elemental mapping at the cellular level cur