Automated detection and matching of spots in autoradiogram images of two-dimensional electrophoresis for high-speed genome scanning

Presents a pattern analysis scheme of autoradiogram images obtained with 2-D (two-dimensional) gel electrophoresis based on the RLGS (restriction landmark genome scanning) method for the purpose of high-speed genome scanning. By this means several thousands of spots are observed as signals; each spot corresponds to a genetic locus and its intensity reflects the copy number of the restriction landmark. The essential problems of image processing for automated analysis are to detect the location of each spot and to measure its intensity. Some kinds of operator including the gradient and ring operators are used for solving the problem. Then the matching and comparison of the RLGS patterns are also important to analyze the differential state. This is solved by using the Delaunay net and relative neighbourhood graphs. Some experimental results indicate that the authors´ method is effective enough to construct an automated analysis system of RLGS patterns and genetic mapping