title: Electrophoretic gel image analysis software for the molecular biology laboratory.
abstract: We present GelReader 1.0, a microcomputer program designed to make precision, digital analysis of one-dimensional electrophoretic gels accessible to the molecular biology laboratory of modest means. Images of electrophoretic gels are digitized via a desktop flatbed scanner from instant photographs, autoradiograms or chromogenically stained blotting media. GelReader is then invoked to locate lanes and bands and generate a report of molecular weights of unknowns, based on specified sets of standards. Frequently used standards can be stored in the program. Lanes and bands can be added or removed, based upon users' subjective preferences. A unique lane histogram feature facilitates precise manual addition of bands missed by the software. Image enhancement features include palette manipulation, histogram equalization, shadowing and magnification. The user interface strikes a balance between program autonomy and user intervention, in recognition of the variability in electrophoretic gel quality and users' analytical needs.
authors.affiliation: National Center for Supercomputing Applications, Urbana-Champaign.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Redman
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jacobs
mesh_terms: D016287:Computer Peripherals; D004586:Electrophoresis; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008967:Molecular Biology / Q000379:methods*; D012984:Software; D012985:Software Design