Browsing by Author "Martin, D"

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    The Allende Meteorite: a case study for all the family?
    (Universities Space Research Association, 2016-03-24) Brand, HEA; Martin, D
    Introduction: The Allende meteorite is the most studied meteorite, possibly the most studied rock assemblage, in the world. The meteorite has an extremely well documented history and relatively large, gram-sized samples can be obtained easily for relatively low cost. The heterogeneity of the meteorite lends itself to study by many different techniques as is evidenced by the wealth of high-quality publications produced on a range of topics. Indeed, the Allende meteorite has an enviable h-index of 124, with more than 68,240 citations*. The broad reach of this sample, together with preexisting data from many documented studies, makes the Allende meteorite an excellent example sample with which to showcase the capabilities of a suite of complementary instruments such as those found at a large central facility; in this case the Australian Synchrotron. It also provides opportunity for the development of a number of outreach tools targeted at particular stakeholder groups at different technical skill levels. These can be integrated with online platforms and social media tools to find a wider audience and become an educational resource for the broader community. At present the resources are under development specifically with respect to the Australian Synchrotron and this contribution is aimed at raising awareness and garnering support, suggestions and expertise from the planetary science community to help this project grow beyond the facility.
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    Synchrotron infrared micro-spectroscopy of single cells at the Australian Synchrotron
    (Australian Microscopy and Microanalysis Society, 2016-02-04) Bambery, KR; Tobin, MJ; Puskar, L; Martin, D; Vongsvivut, JP
    Infrared Microspectroscopy is increasingly revealing valuable bio-chemical information of biological and biomedical systems beyond the tissue level at the single cell level. At the Australian Synchrotron Infrared Microscopy beamline, FTIR spectroscopy provides sensitive molecular fingerprinting for tissues and cells without the need for sample pre-treatment with stains or external markers. Due to the brightness of a synchrotron source, good signal to noise at high spatial resolution (diffraction limited) can routinely be performed at the single cell level. In the study of live microbiological systems the principal restriction on the application of infrared microspectroscopy is the strong absorbance by water in the region of 1650 cm-1, overlaying the Amide I absorption band of proteins. The combination of a highly focused synchrotron beam with liquid cells constructed with microfabricated spacers of 6 to 8 microns in thickness have enabled complete mid-IR spectra to be obtained of single live cells under aqueous media within short scan times. Some applications include analysis of spectral changes in normal single living cells, diagnosing different disease states, discrimination of cell types and monitoring the effects of drug treatment at the single cell level. Details of these studies conducted at the infrared microscopy beamline at the Australian Synchrotron are presented.