I am interested in medical and biological applications of x-ray fluorescence (XRF).
XRF is a non-invasive analytical method capable of detecting chemical elements in
bulk or trace concentrations (parts per million level). Following x-ray irradiation
in vivo measurements of certain elements in the human body are possible with minimal
radiation dose. For the past three decades the most important medical XRF application
was the in vivo measurement of lead (Pb) in the tibia bone. XRF investigations of
the distribution, accumulation mechanisms, and metabolic role of other elements such
as iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), selenium (Se), or strontium (Sr) in healthy
and pathological human tissues were also pursued by various research groups. I am
particularly interested in the research and development of novel in vitro and in vivo
XRF measurement techniques using modern x-ray optics instrumentation and techniques.
The microbeam XRF laboratory I built features an integrated x-ray tube and polycapillary
x- ray lens capable of producing an x-ray beam with a focal spot of 15 μm. This XRF
system is suitable for in vitro XRF microscopy studies and the research of novel medical
applications in this field.
