GelQuest 2.8.0 Build 2

GelQuest - Software for the analysis of DNA fingerprints

Software for the analysis of DNA fingerprints

The GelQuest application was designed to be a software of choice for the analysis of DNA fingerprint data. It works in a fast and efficient way with trace files (FSA files) as well as with gel image files (TIFF, JPG, BMP, etc.) and handles AFLP, t-RFLP or RAPD data.

NOTE: Users will be able to register for a free trial license here.

GelQuest features :

GelQuest imports trace data curves from the following formats:
- Trace file formats: ABI FSA format, Beckman SCF files, MegaBACE RSD files

Gel images:
- BMP, TIFF, JPG, GIF, SGI, Autodesk, Targa, PCX, PCD, Portable Map, CUT, RLA, Photoshop, Paintshop, PortableNetwork, EPS

Data management and processing:
- Project files are saved in XML format and contain trace data, peak data, size standard data, etc. They are small because trace data are included as zip-compressed CDATA sections. Easy incorporation of GelQuest samples and projects into databases and database applications.
- Semi-automatic lane extraction from gel images: Easy extraction from a series of image formats. Full UNDO functionality to the image import steps. Smile correction. Correction of distorted gel runs.
- Supports up to 5-color channel fingerprinting systems

- Trace signal processing: smoothing, baselining
- Peak detection with realtime preview: Advanced SequentiX peak digger algorithm. Many peak detection and filtering parameters.

Fragment sizing:
- Allows for the comparison (binning) of fragments even if no size standard lane is available
- Create/Edit user-defined size standard templates
- Comes with predefined standard templates

Sample management:
- Detailed information on each sample
- Renaming (edit sample names)
- Rearrange samples within a project by drag and drop
- Remove/Add samples from the project
- Analyse individual samples
- Data Visualisation (graphics)
- Select the color channels to display
- Display as curves, color or greyscale pseudogel images
- Show/Hide peak locations
- Toggle between raw and processed data

Easy handling:
This is a screenshot of GelQuest's main window showing the trace panel with peak details in the upper region and the hyperbin table in the lower part of the window:

Size standard definition:
- Use your own size standards and generate size standard template files that can be used to size any of your samples. Automatic size standard matching for fragments with size standard templates. Local Southern algorithm for exact peak sizing. Peaks occuring above the highest and below the smallest size standard peak are sized by linear regression. Allows sizing and hyperbinning of fragments with any length (also suitable for pulse field gel electrophoresis data). Allows for the comparison/binning of fragments even if no size standard lane is available. Definition of user-defined size standard templates from samples. Comes with several predefined standard templates.

Hyperbins (Superbins):
- Automatic hyperbin detection and on-the-fly visualisation of corresponding bins in a hyperbin-table
- Lucid presentation of hyperbins by base sizes, heights, areas, area-to-height-ratios or as a 0/1 matrix
- Include or exclude sample peaks by clicking with the right mouse button on a trace peak or the hyperbin table
- Adjust hyperbin detection parameters and filter peaks by height, area, height to width ratio or other parameters
- The maximum hyperbin width is automatically adjusted to the maximum base size of peaks divided by 2.
- Filter by channels
- Advanced local maximum detection algorithm
- Bin = a single peak of a single sample
- Superbin = a container on sample level with a defined width (e.g. 1 base) containing bins (peaks) of a single sample
- Hyperbin = a container on project level containing bins and superbins of serveral samples
- Export of hyperbins for spread sheet applications in tab-delimited tables
- Export hypberbins as 01 matrix files for cluster analyses (supported formats: Paup NEXUS, Phylip NEWICK and FASTA)
- Start add-on analysis tool ClusterVis to perform cluster analysis or principal coordinate analysis (PCoA).


Limitations:

- 30-day trial
- Save Option is disabled

GelQuest 2.8.0 Build 2 is licensed as Demo for the Windows operating system / platform. GelQuest is provided as a free to try download for all software users (Demo).