Bio-Chemical Imaging with quantum beam based elemental analyses for intracellular bio-metal Dynamics

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Integrated Biometal Science: Research to Explore Dynamics of Metals in Cellular System
• Project/Area Number: 19H05775
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Research in a proposed research area)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Complex systems
• Research Institution: National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Takeda Shino 国立研究開発法人量子科学技術研究開発機構, 放射線医学研究所 放射線規制科学研究部, 上席研究員 (00272203)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-06-28 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 生命金属 / 蛍光X線分析 / イメージング / ウラン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To understand the dynamics of bio-metals, it is necessary to obtain information on the distribution and chemical forms of bio-metals under conditions that are as close as possible to the in vivo environment with preserving the microstructure and cellular arrangement of tissues. In this study, we have investigated the intercellular dynamics of bio-metals by chemical imaging using synchrotron radiation and proton beams and bioimaging using autofluorescence and reflected light. Intracellular elemental imaging and quantification at 100 nano-spatial resolution was achieved. Collaboration within the bio-metal science has enabled us to examine measurement samples from plants to human tissues, from hard tissues such as bones and teeth to soft tissues such as kidneys and gastrointestinal tracts, and to advance the analysis of bio-metal distribution from light elements to heavy metals.

Free Research Field

環境毒性学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

微小ビームを用いた元素イメージングにより、生命金属の細胞内局在・濃集部に関連する情報を構築することができた。これらの知見は生命金属が生命の維持に果たす役割の理解や有害金属の毒性軽減研究、元素利用戦略など健康科学に向けた展開が期待できる。