Uses of digital image analysis in electrophoresis

The information in electrophoretic gels can be extracted visually, or by using specialised computer hardware and software which treat the gels as digital images. We discuss issues which arise in applying digital image analysis to electrophoresis, and comment on the range of computer packages available. We also illustrate how image analysis can make gel interpretation easier and more reliable. Methods covered include gel registration and warping, mathematical morphology and deconvolution to sharpen images.