Synchrotron-based X-ray microscopy for sub-100Â nm resolution cell imaging

Microscopic imaging provides a straightforward approach to deepen our understanding of cellular events. While the resolution of optical microscopes is generally limited to 200-300 nm due to the diffraction limit, there has been ever growing interest in studying cells at the sub-100 nm regime. By exploiting the short wavelength, long penetration depth and elemental specificity of X-rays, synchrotron-based X-ray microscopy (XRM) has demonstrated its power in exploring the structure and function of cells at the nanometer resolution. Here we summarize recent advances in using XRM for imaging ultrastructure of organelles and specific biomolecular locations in cells, and provide a perspective on potentials and applications of XRM.