Lorusso, G. F.DeStasio, G.Casalbore, P.Mercanti, D.Ciotti, M. T.Cricenti, A.Generosi, R.Perfetti, P.Margaritondo, G.2006-10-032006-10-032006-10-03199710.1088/0022-3727/30/12/017https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/234744WOS:A1997XH16000017We demonstrate the possibility of using x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) to distinguish between the chemical properties of the neuron membrane and of the cytoplasm in brain cells. This was possible by analysing cells de-capped by using a newly developed technique. The XPS spectra clearly show chemical differences between the cell cytoplasm and the membrane, for example between nitrogen in -NH2 and -NH3, which are characteristic of the proteins and membrane phospholipids, respectively. A preliminary (and not conclusive) interpretation of all the observed spectroscopic features is given.CULTUREStext::journal::journal article::research article