6. Fields of application

6.1 Life Sciences

• PIXE analysis is particularly well suited to the determination of heavy elements in light matrices. It therefore excels in the analysis of living tissue, where the organic matrix emits only very low-energy X-rays. It enables the determination of trace metals essential to life (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se...), minerals (Na, Mg, P, S, K, Ca...) and most of the elements involved in the metabolism of any living being. It can also be used to measure heavy metals and toxic substances, whether for environmental studies (pollution by Cd, Hg, Pb...) or toxicology/pharmacology studies. Since the 1980s, this method has been used in numerous studies on the role of trace elements in various pathologies, mostly for assays in biological fluids or mineralized tissues,...