XFM of “Trace Metals” in Cultured Cells: Framing the Picture

Abstract

Abstract. Encouraged by our recent x-ray fluorescence microprobe analysis revealing subcellular metal relocation in two special cell types, we are working to identify the role of zinc and copper in these cells. In verifying that metal ion dynamics are not artifactual, particularly where some samples have been chemically fixed, a comparison of our past results with samples studied with cryofixation and immunofluorescence add validation to our previous findings. Our work demonstrating cryofixation in human microvascular endothelial cells and metallothionein immunofluorescence in stem cells is presented.