Scanning transmission soft X-ray spectromicroscopy of mouse kidney and liver

Scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) in the soft X-ray range is well-suited to study ultrastructural features of mammalian soft tissues. Especially at the carbon 1s edge, the imaging contrast varies drastically across the edge due to rapid changes in the X-ray absorption cross-section of functional groups present in the tissue samples enabling label-free soft X-ray spectromicroscopic studies. We present STXM spectromicroscopic imaging of mouse kidney and liver tissues. We especially concentrate on ultrastructural abnormalities in genetically modified Slc17a5 mice. STXM is a promising technique to study storage diseases without chemical alteration due to staining agents, but sample preparation poses a challenge.

Automated summary

Scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) in the soft X-ray range is used to study ultrastructural features of mammalian soft tissues, particularly at the carbon 1s edge for label-free soft X-ray spectromicroscopic studies. This technique is promising for studying storage diseases without chemical alteration, although sample preparation is challenging. STXM spectromicroscopic imaging of mouse kidney and liver tissues was conducted, with a focus on ultrastructural abnormalities in genetically modified Slc17a5 mice.