Soft X-ray microscopy has great advantages over other types of microscopy on the observation of hydrated specimens at high spatial resolution below 100 nm, and on the elemental and molecular mapping using absorption characteristics. These advantages are particularly suitable for biomedical applications. A possible problem associated with observation of specimens at high spatial resolution in a hydrated environment is described and a strategy to overcome the problem is presented. The latter part of the present report deals with spectromicroscopy to obtain molecular distribution in biological specimens. DNA and protein distributions in isolated nuclei are examined following to the progression of apoptosis at high resolution, and the oxidation product is visualized in human hair in relation to calcium content.
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