1. Click 'Import Image' button or the menu File --> Import --> Image Files
2. Follow the instructions of the import wizard.
Additional information on lane extraction
GelQuest can extract the lanes from gel images and converts them into trace profiles.
The three icons in the top left region can be used to navigate. A click on the 'Prev' icon will go
to the previous step in the lane extraction process, the 'Next' icon to the following step. A click
on the 'Reset' icon resets all parameters of the current lane extraction step to default values.
To zoom in our zoom out use the two zoom icons or the mouse wheel (wheel down = zoom
in, wheel up = zoom out).
1. Define Region of Interest
Move the corners with the mouse to select the region of interest. It should contain all lanes
that are to be extracted. This step will re-calculate the image in that way that the four corners
of the region of interest will become the corners of a new rectangle. Two following two
conditions are important:
· Two opposite edges of the region of interest must run parallel to the run direction of
the lanes.
· The other two edges must be set in that way that equivalent bands (with the same
fragment length) in the first and last lane are in the same distance to these edges.
This is because GelQuest will correct for circular smile effects in a subsequent
processing step.
The following example illustrates for the same source image how to set the region of interest
in the correct way.
Region of interest
Result:
Example 1:
This example shows
how to set the region of
interest in the right way.
Example 2:
Wrong: Equivalent
bands in first and last
lane are not in the same
distance to the two other
edges of the rectangle.
GelQuest will not correct this kind of
smile effect.
Example 3:
Wrong: Two edges are
not parallel to the rund
direction of the lanes.
GelQuest could correct the smile effect
but the run direction is not set in the
right way.
2. Adjust Run Direction
Locate the gel region containing the shortest fragments and click with the mouse near that gel
edge. The arrowhead should point into the direction of the shortest fragments.
3. Define Trace Lanes
Move the mouse pointer over the centre of a lane and click with the left mouse button. Repeat
for each lane that is to be extracted. The size standard lane should also be selected.
Please note: Best results are obtained if you select the leftmost and rightmost lane first.
Center the grid point handles on the lanes. Then select the most distorted lanes and adjust
their grid point handles. Each further lane is automatically fitted between already defined
lanes.
4. Correct Smile Effect in Gel Image
Move the handels with the left mouse button pressed and adjust the grid lines to run parallel
to the smiling bands.
5. Define the Size Standard Lane
Click on the lane that contains the size standard. This lane will be added as the second colour
channel to each extracted lane.
