Contextualizing X-ray Fluorescence Microscopy for Biological Specimen

Trace elements are essential for normal development and function in biology. Metal misbalance is associated with neurodegenerative disorders, cancer and other diseases. Understanding metal homeostasis depends on our ability to determine metal levels and identify their precise location. Using X-ray nanoprobes, investigators can produce elemental maps at nanometer resolution but it remains difficult to contextualize their localization. We synthesized XFM compatible Co and Ni nanoparticle probes to label organelles and proteins. Their distribution is used as a proxy for organelles and proteins and will be overlaid with the element of interest. Thus far, we have synthesized functionalized Ni nanoparticles to detect mitochondria and CoO nanoparticles clicked to a PEG maleimide linker that can be conjugated to a partially reduced cysteine of a primary or secondary antibody. The goal of this proposal is to optimize our initial prototypes for these probes.