This book demonstrates the applications of synchrotron radiation in certain aspects of cell microbiology, specifically non-destructive elemental analyses, chemical-state analyses and imaging (distribution) of the elements within a cell. The basics for understanding and applications of synchrotron radiation are also described to make the contents easier to be understood for a wide group of researchers in medical and biological sciences who might not be familiar with the physics of synchrotron radiation. The two main techniques that are discussed in this book are the x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and the x-ray fine structure analysis (XAFS). Application of these techniques in investigations of several important scientific fields, such as neurodegeneration and other diseases related to cell malfunctioning, are demonstrated in this book.

Zusammenfassung
Physics and engineering governing the applications of synchrotron radiation is based on enormous achievements during more than one hundred years in the ?led of X-ray physics and technology. The contents of this book, starting with the very general aspects of synchrotron radiation investigated, have been developedby numerousscientist andexperimentalistin this ?eld during the past 20 years. The readers are recommended to visit the websites of major synchrotron facilities in the world, and update their knowledge of this rapidly changing and progressing ?eld. Since this book covers a wide range of topics related to the experimental aspects, from the physics to biology, in many occasions it does not cover the many important works by scientists in the ?eld. A note of acknowledgement must begin with a sincere apology of shortcomings in referring to all the important works in the ?eld. The author is very much indebted to Professor Atsuo Iida of Photon factory, Tsukuba Japan, where most of the experiments and achievements reported in this book were initiated. I should express my thanks to all the researchers in High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, Institute of Material Structure Science (Photon Factory) and Japan Synchrotron Rad- tion ResearchInstitute (SPring8),who made the experiments possible for me and my colleagues who performed the main experimental topics during 1995 to 2003 presented in this book. Contribution by Professor S.

Inhalt
Synchrotron Radiation and X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy.- X-ray Absorption Fine Structure Spectroscopy.- SR Microbeam Analysis at Cellular Level.- Investigation of Differentiation of Mouse ES Cells.- Investigation of Neurodegenerative Disorders (I).- Investigation of Neurodegenerative Disorders (II).- SR Analysis of Tissues.