User`s manual

Alpha Innotech User’s Manual, version 4
5-8
At the top of the data box is a bar with two menus: Marker and Query. The area below
the menu bar is divided into two sections. Molecular weight marker data is displayed in
the upper section and the calculated or query data is displayed in the lower section.
Entering Known Molecular Weights for Markers
An unlimited number of molecular weight standards can be defined, either all in one lane,
or in multiple lanes. To input markers, open the Marker menu and select Add Marker.
Note: to enter standards from previously-saved files, see Applying a Set of Saved
Markers below.
Notice that the cursor flashes and has a short, horizontal line associated with it. Move the
cursor to the lane containing the molecular weight standards. Beginning at the top of the
lane, position the cursor so the horizontal line is aligned with the band.
If the SNAP TO PEAK function has been activated, the cursor jumps to the highest pixel
value in the band as the cursor approaches it. If bands are so tightly spaced that the line
is not coinciding with the band, turn off SNAP TO PEAK and place the marker on the
band manually.
When the horizontal line is positioned correctly, click the left mouse button. A dialog
box appears requesting the band's molecular weight. Using the numeric keypad in the
dialog box (or the numbers on the keyboard), enter the known molecular weight.
Alternatively, enter the value using the keyboard.
After entering the molecular weight, press either the OK button in the dialog box (or the
<Enter> key on the keyboard). The dialog box disappears, the number of the band
appears on the image, and the band's data is added to the Markers section of the data box.
The horizontal red line remains, indicating that the cursor is ready to select the next band
as described above.
After entering the value for the last marker, click the Add Markers Complete button
instead of OK. This will deactivate the value-entering function and will return the cursor
to its normal mode. (To reactivate the value-entering function, select Add Marker from
the menu again, or click the right mouse button.)
The Molecular Weight Data Box
The data box is located near the top of the image. Initially, no values are displayed in the
data box. When a molecular weight value is assigned to a band, the following
information is displayed in the data box:
• Band numbers are assigned beginning with the first band, continuing in the order
selected.