Quantitative analysis and pattern recognition of two-dimensional electrophoresis gels

We describe a system, both hardware and software, that provides quantitative analysis and data reduction of two-dimensional electrophoresis gels. Image-analysis techniques are used to determine spot intensities and to match spot patterns among many gels. A pattern-recognition program is used to extract the useful information contained in the spot lists. The application of this technology to a study of supernates from bacterial cultures is described.