Trace processing and peak detection
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GelQuest performs the analysis of trace data in two successive steps (Table 1).

Table 1. Typical file formats generated by fingerprint analysis are:
Step
Description
Trace data processing and peak detection.
The parameters for these analyses are defined in the upper part of the GelQuest analysis window.

'Trace data processing' means that the original curve values ('raw trace data') are smoothed and that the background noise is reduced by a base lining procedure. This step generates 'processed data' data from the 'raw data'.

This requires two parameters:
Smoothing half width:
If the smoothing half width is set to zero, no baselining will be carried out.

Baselining half width:
If the baselining half width is set to zero, no baselining will be carried out.

The 'peak detection' procedure analyses the 'processed data' and determines which local maxima are considered to be peaks.
The Gelquest Peak Digger alogrithm is a recursive local maxium finder using residuals.
If you are a beginner to fragment analysis, it is recommended to use the parameter 'Min. Peak Height' only. If you are an experienced user you may wish to use the other and more sophisticated parameters that are available.
The following parameters are available for peak detection:

The results of these steps can be seen ("preview") before performing the last step:
Sizing of fragments
This step determines the size of each fragment by using a set of predefined fragments from a size standard lane ('size standard template').
The parameters for sizing are defined in the lower part of the GelQuest analysis window.

If you are using a size standard that is not already saved as a size standard template, you need to define a new size standard template.

See also:
Steps to analyse your data