"Cellular imaging at the nano- and meso- scales"

The National Center for X-ray Tomography (NCXT) carries out research in cell biology, and develops novel technologies and methodologies for biological and biomedical imaging. One of our primary research areas is the development of soft x-ray tomography as a new tool for visualizing the internal architecture of whole, hydrated cells. This emerging technique has several distinct advantages over existing imaging methods, and is contributing unique insights our understanding of cells and their behavior. The NCXT is currently building a purpose soft x-ray microscope at the Advanced Light Source of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Construction has now passed several scheduled milestones and is on target to be open for use by the biomedical community late in 2007. This is the first soft x-ray microscope in the world to be designed specifically for applications in biomedical and bioenergy research.



CAD drawing of XM-2, the NCXT soft x-ray microscope at the ALS

The National Center for X-ray Tomography is a joint program between the University of California, San Francisco and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and is very grateful to be in receipt of joint funding from the Department of Energy and the National Institutes of Health.