X-ray fluorescence (XRF) has been widely utilized to analyze chemical composition and elemental distribution within samples. The process of fitting raw XRF spectra and obtaining quantified insights (i.e., mapping) is at the core of XRF analysis [ 1]. At the Advanced Photon Source (APS), there are large amount of diverse XRF datasets from different samples, instruments, and experimental conditions. Extensive parameter tuning is needed to obtain best results for each specific dataset. Typically, the fitting parameters such as energy calibration coefficients or gaussian parameters are tuned by beamline scientists based on their past experiences. This reduces overall throughput and potentially introduces subjective biases. We anticipate parameter tuning will become a major bottleneck especially after the APS upgrade, when the data collection rate will be ∼100 times higher [ 2]. Therefore, it is important to develop automated XRF parameter tuning workflows.

High-resolution visualization of cochlear cisplatin distribution is essential for understanding its pharmacokinetics and ototoxicity. We employed synchrotron X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) to map platinum (Pt) at sub-micron resolution. Adult male FVB mice received cisplatin (10 mg/kg) through intravenous (i.v.) or intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration. Cochleae were collected on days 1, 7, and 14, cryo-sectioned, and scanned using XFM. Cochlear Pt signal increased progressively through day 14. Notably, i.v. administration led to higher Pt levels than the i.p. route, with the highest increase observed in the organ of Corti on day 14. These results provided the first cell-specific mapping of cochlear Pt distribution and revealed a persistent Pt accumulation long after systemic cisplatin clearance from plasma. Although no significant hearing loss was detected on day 14, the distinct of Pt kinetics between administration routes highlighted critical disconnections in cispla-tin-induced hearing loss between clinical chemotherapy and current preclinical animal models.