Carefully selected line-up of heavy metals
heavy metals . Speciation describes the distribution of different chemical bonding forms of an element , in the cell culture medium and within the cells ."
These findings help the scientists to understand the interactions of these heavy metals at the cellular and molecular level better .
Carefully selected line-up of heavy metals
The researchers chose the metal ions used in their study very thoughtfully . Barium ( II ) is suitable since it is a safe substitute for studying naturally occurring radioactive radium ( II ).
Chemically speaking , non-radioactive europium ( III ) is very similar to the artificially produced radioactive elements americium ( III ) and curium ( III ). In addition , its excellent luminescence properties render it an ideal element for spectroscopic detection .
As a naturally-occurring heavy metal , easily soluble uranium ( VI ) is of particular importance for radioecology , especially here in Saxony , where the legacy of uranium mining , in particular the contamination of soil and water , is a major economic and technological challenge .
In addition , a precise understanding of the complex behavior of these heavy metal ions is of crucial importance both for general aspects of radiation protection and for the safety of planned radioactive waste repositories .
To investigate the chemical bonding form of heavy metals in the body , the scientists added aqueous metal solutions to the cells . As a result , the heavy metal ions lost their original water shell and became surrounded by the cellular molecules , so-called bioligands .
Using special technologies , such as luminescence spectroscopy and chemical microscopy , the researchers were able to visualize the distribution of europium ( III ) in the cells . Fluorescence microscopy also revealed how the cells changed upon contact with the heavy metal . Depending on the element , the cells swelled , their membrane fragmented , or parts of the cells detached .
Source : https :// phys . org / news / 2024‐07‐closer‐cell‐toxins‐radionuclides‐interact . html # google _ vignette