Abstract
This paper briefly overviews the application of total-reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectrometry in the biosciences, focusing on key bioanalytical applications. It seeks to review and update the current state of TXRF's use in biomedical, biochemical, and pharmacological research. The review highlights relevant works in the field, summarising past achievements and incorporating the latest developments. The goal is to demonstrate how the analytical application of TXRF spectrometry in this area has evolved and what its role is in analysing trace elements and other biomolecules in diverse biological samples and diseases. Physical foundations to understand its analytical power and its comparison with related analytical techniques are presented to gain objective knowledge of the benefits, limitations, and drawbacks that TXRF spectrometry can offer.