Synchrotron X-ray Imaging of Soft Biological Tissues: Concepts, Uses, and Future Prospects

Abstract

A flexible isotropic three-dimensional imaging method, synchrotron- based tomographic phase-contrast X-ray imaging (SRµCT or SRnCT) can be used to examine biological samples of any size, from single cells to human-sized objects. The extremely bright and coherent X- rays generated by a synchrotron light source are exploited by SRµCT and SRnCT. Through the use of phase contrast, this allows for quick data collection and improved image contrast for delicate biological materials. In this review, we give a summary of the fundamentals of the method, go over how biologists might use it, and offer a prediction for the development of this new biological methodology. We present the most recent developments in the field, including the imaging of entire human organs at micron resolution, the use of X-rays as a virtual histology tool.