This book describes the capabilities of nuclear techniques for elemental microanalysis in the biological field. A description of basic principles is given at the beginning, with special emphasis on X-ray Fluorescence, Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry, Nuclear Reaction Analysis and Scanning Transmission Ion Microscopy. The major part of the volume is devoted to the applications in the life sciences and presents a general review of the subjects investigated during the last fifteen years. In addition, technical aspects of nuclear microanalysis in living tissues, including data processing and specimen preparation, are detailed. Examples of recent applications in cellular pharmacology, cell physiology and biomedicine are presented. The last part concerns the studies of unicellular micro-organisms involved in pollution problems. Postgraduate students and confirmed scientists will be able to find here basic information, references and practical aspects of this new tool, with in each case a comparison with other analytical techniques.Contents:Concepts and PrinciplesEquipment and TechniquesOther Microanalytical Techniques: A ReviewTechnical Aspects: Specimen PreparationTechnical Aspects: Specimen DamageApplication to PharmacologyApplication to PhysiologyApplication to Pathology and ClinicApplication to Trace Elements and ToxicologyReadership: Researchers in the life sciences.Key Features:Gives an overview of all the presentations at the 9th International Conference on Difference Equations and ApplicationsPresents a variety of problems and applications having one ingredient in common, the Discrete Dynamical SystemDetails the numerous new techniques and developments in the area