X-ray absorption spectroscopy for tracking the biomineralization of iron-based nanoparticles within cells

This proposal aims to investigate changes in iron oxide-based nanoheterostructures within the cellular environment for potential biomedical applications. Efficacy and toxicity are influenced by their transformation and degradation processes in the body. These nanoheterostructures can undergo remagnetization and recrystallization due to the biosynthesis of degraded elements in cells. Recent findings have shown that non-magnetic iron-based salts induce the formation of intracellular bioinorganic magnetic nanoparticles, with X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) playing a crucial role in unraveling their progressive synthesis in mammalian cells. We propose a comprehensive study covering various maturation time points, using XAS at the Fe K-edge and Au L3-edge to examine iron-based nanoparticles combined with elements like Au in the cellular environment during different tissue maturation stages.