Spatially resolved X-ray fluorescence analytical study of the intracellular distribution of platinum and gold-based cytostatic drugs and comparison with ruthenium-based compounds.

• Applicant: Dr. Christoph Rumancev
• Subject Area: Analytical Chemistry ; Cell Biology
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 525502632

In this project, the effect of established cytostatic agents such as cisplatin and carboplatin on cell lines such as HeLa, HT29 and MCF7, will be investigated using modern XRF methods. In the course of the project, the effect of established cytostatic agents will also be investigated on resistant cell lines such as A2780cis and compared with non-resistant cell lines. In the last part of the project, the effect of newly developed ruthenium complexes on the normal cell lines and on the cisplatin resistant cell lines will be investigated and compared with previous results. XRF offers the possibility to detect the element distribution in the cells non-destructively. The localization of the elements in the treated cells can be mapped and compared with non-treated cells. At the same time, element concentration can be determined and compared between different treatments. The cells are cryogenically prepared and remain in their natural, biologically relevant state. No chemical fixation or staining is required. The experimental setup at the P06 beamline at DESY also allows the samples to be studied in the frozen state.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants