Search for Microbial Signatures within Human and Microbial Calcifications Using Soft X-Ray Spectromicroscopy

Abstract

Using NEXAFS at the 25 nm spatial scale, it is possible to define a biochemical signature for cultured calcified bacteria, including proteins, polysaccharides, nucleic acids, and hydroxyapatite. These preliminary studies suggest that nanoparticles isolated from human samples share spectroscopic characteristics with calcified proteins.