Electrophoretic data processing device and electrophoretic data processing method

Abstract

In order to improve the analysis precision of an electrophoresis device (2), the present invention is characterized by having: a signal charge data acquisition unit (101) that acquires signal values output from CCD image sensors, when a plurality of CCD image sensors detect signals for each wavelength component of fluorescence by using fluorescence labels and output pixel data obtained by converting the signals to electric signals; a binning processing unit (102) that groups a prescribed number of pixels as one bin; a color conversion processing unit (104) that calculates the signal strength of each fluorescence label on the basis of the generated bins; a color signal evaluation processing unit (105) that calculates a color signal evaluation value which is an evaluation value indicated the degree in variation in signal strength for each fluorescence label; and a binning region adjustment processing unit (107) that, if the color signal evaluation value is no more than a prescribed value, reduces the size of a bin corresponding to a peak value, for fluorescence labels that have the highest peak value for signal strength and increases the size of a bin corresponding to a peak value, for fluorescence labels that have the smallest peak value for signal strength.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for an electrophoretic data processing device and an electrophoretic data processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Capillary electrophoresis devices are known that electrophoretically migrate a sample, in which DNA is labeled with multiple fluorescent labels, inside a capillary, apply excitation light to the detection region, and detect the fluorescence emitted by the sample as a signal.

[0003] The fluorescence emitted by the sample is split into wavelength regions and detected by a device that converts the optical signal into an electrical signal for each wavelength region, such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor.

[0004] When acquiring fluorescent signals, a method called binning is known in which multiple light-receiving surfaces (corresponding to pixels) of an image sensor are pseudo-combined and treated as a single pixel, thereby increasing or decreasing the light-receiving area per pixel.

[0005] Techniques relating to such binning are disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3. Patent Document 1 discloses a capillary array electrophoresis device, a fluorescence detection device, and a method for acquiring a fluorescent signal intensity, which includes "a plurality of light-receiving surfaces which generate signal charges when irradiated with a fluorescent signal 405, and which acquires a fluorescent signal intensity based on the plurality of signal charges generated on the light-receiving surfaces, and which acquires the fluorescent signal intensity by performing either hardware binning which acquires the fluorescent signal intensity by converting the plurality of signal charges collectively, or software binning which converts the signal charges one by one into fluorescent signal intensity and adds up the converted fluorescent signal intensities" (see abstract).

[0006] Patent Document 2 discloses a fluorescence analysis device and method in which "a fluorescence analysis device 1A is configured including an excitation light irradiation system that irradiates excitation light onto a sample S, a fluorescence detection system that detects fluorescence from fluorescent probes in the measurement region, a photon counting unit 35 that counts the number of photons based on the detection signal, an analysis condition setting unit 51 that sets analysis conditions for the photon number measurement data, and a measurement result analysis unit 52 that performs fluorescence analysis. The setting unit 51 sets a bin width for binning the measurement data and a reference photon number for one fluorescent probe molecule, and the analysis unit 52 bins the measurement data and analyzes the number of fluorescent probes in the measurement region by referring to the reference photon number. The setting unit 51 also sets the bin width using the measured S / N ratio of the photon number and the change in the reference S / N ratio due to shot noise characteristics that occurs due to the bin width" (see abstract).

[0007] Patent Document 3 discloses a fluorescence observation device that "provides a fluorescence observation device 100 including: a fluorescence image acquisition section 18 and a reference image acquisition section 17 that acquire a fluorescence image or a reference image of subject A; a division image generation section 64 that divides an image based on the fluorescence image by an image based on the reference image to generate a division image; a display section 20 that displays a final fluorescence image based on the division image; a correction processing section 65 that performs correction processing on at least one of the reference image and the fluorescence image and / or the division image prior to generation of the division image by the division image generation section 64 or display of the final fluorescence image by the display section 20; an observation condition determination section 7 that determines observation conditions for subject A; and a correction condition setting section 66 that sets parameters for the correction processing by the correction processing section 65 in accordance with the observation conditions determined by the observation condition determination section 7" (see abstract).

[0008] A combination of multiple binning regions applied during binning is called a binning pattern. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-49179 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2009-192490 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2013-56001 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] The technology described in Patent Document 1 can improve the data acquisition speed and reduce the size of the acquired data. If the goal is simply to reduce the data size, this can be easily achieved by fixing the binning area and performing binning at equal intervals. In addition, as described in Patent Documents 2 and 3, the S / N ratio can be improved by changing the area in which the fluorescent signal is binned. However, when adjusting the binning area to improve the S / N ratio, the fluorescent sensitivity of each label may vary depending on the wavelength characteristics of the fluorescent label. Since an electrophoresis apparatus needs to simultaneously detect and analyze fluorescence from a plurality of fluorescent labels, satisfactory analytical performance cannot be achieved unless variations in fluorescence sensitivity are suppressed.

[0011] To suppress the variation, it is necessary to adjust the binning pattern to be optimized for the set of fluorescent labels used, but this adjustment requires highly specialized workers, which is problematic in that it is time-consuming and expensive.

[0012] The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and an object of the present invention is to improve the analytical accuracy of an electrophoresis apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an electrophoresis apparatus in which a plurality of fluorescent labels are electrophoresed together with a sample, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of image pickup elements that detect signals for each wavelength component of fluorescence from the fluorescent labels, and output pixel data obtained by converting the signals into electrical signals; an acquisition unit that acquires the pixel data output from each of the image pickup elements; a bin generation unit that calculates an integrated value or a representative value of values ​​of a predetermined number of adjacent pixel data and sets the calculated integrated value or representative value as a bin value to group together a predetermined number of adjacent pixel data into one bin; and a set of the bin values ​​derived from the fluorescent labels for each of the fluorescent labels. the signal intensity calculation unit calculating a signal intensity for each of the fluorescent labels based on the set of extracted bin values; a first evaluation value calculation unit calculating a first evaluation value which is an evaluation value indicating a degree of variation in the signal intensity for each of the fluorescent labels; and an adjustment unit performing bin adjustment when the first evaluation value satisfies a predetermined condition, by reducing a size of the bin having a maximum bin value which is the largest bin value among the set of bin values ​​for the fluorescent label having the largest value related to a first peak which is a peak of signal intensity, and by enlarging the size of the bin having the maximum bin value for the fluorescent label having the smallest value related to the first peak. Other solutions will be described in the embodiments as appropriate. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, the analytical accuracy of the electrophoresis apparatus can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an electrophoresis system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of an electrophoretic data processing device. [Figure 3A] FIG. 1 is a diagram (part 1) showing an example of binning used in the present embodiment. [Figure 3B] FIG. 2 is a diagram (part 2) showing an example of binning used in the present embodiment. [Figure 4A] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between bins and wavelengths. [Figure 4B] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an integrated value of signal charge. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of electrophoretic data processing according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a binning process performed in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a color transformation matrix calculation process performed in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of signal charge integration data. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a signal charge integrated value after normalization. [Figure 10] 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a color conversion process performed in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of fluorescence color signal data. [Figure 12] 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a fluorescence color signal evaluation value calculation process performed in the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an average signal intensity value. [Figure 14] 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a binning region adjustment process. [Figure 15A] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing one example of a menu screen (part 1). [Figure 15B] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dialog screen. [Figure 15C] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing one example of a menu screen (part 1). [Figure 15D] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a fluorescence sensitivity adjustment screen. [Figure 16] 6A to 6C are diagrams illustrating an example of fluorescence color signal data indicating a result after the sensitivity adjustment process according to the first embodiment is completed. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an electrophoresis system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 18] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of electrophoretic data processing performed in the second embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an electrophoresis system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 20] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of electrophoretic data processing performed in the third embodiment. [Figure 21] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating an example of fluorescent color signal data in which a pull-up occurs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (referred to as an embodiment) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In all drawings for explaining the embodiment, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0017] First Embodiment First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15D. [Electrophoresis System Z] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electrophoresis system Z according to the first embodiment. The electrophoresis system Z includes an electrophoresis data processing device 1 and an electrophoresis device 2 . (Electrophoresis device 2) The electrophoresis device 2 electrophoreses a biological sample, irradiates the fluorescent labels in the measurement sample with excitation light, generates fluorescence from the measurement sample, and detects the fluorescent signal. In other words, the electrophoresis device 2 is provided in an electrophoresis device 2 in which a plurality of fluorescent labels are electrophoresed together with the sample. In this embodiment, the sample to be measured by the electrophoresis device 2 is a DNA molecule to which a plurality of fluorescent labels have been added. These DNA molecules are fluorescently labeled in base information ("ATGC") or in a characteristic sequence structure (for example, a succession of "T"s). A capillary electrophoresis device or the like is used as the electrophoresis device 2.

[0018] The electrophoresis device 2 includes a wavelength dispersion section 201 , a signal charge acquisition section 202 , and a signal charge data output section 203 . The wavelength dispersion section 201 is, for example, a diffraction grating, and disperses the fluorescence generated by the fluorescent label in the wavelength direction. The signal charge acquisition unit 202 detects (fluorescence detection) the fluorescent signal dispersed in the wavelength direction by the wavelength dispersion unit 201, and converts it into an electrical signal. That is, it detects a signal of the wavelength component of the fluorescent label dispersed by the wavelength dispersion unit 201. The signal charge acquisition unit 202 is composed of, for example, a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor (image pickup element). In this embodiment, the signal charge acquisition unit 202 is composed of a CCD image sensor. Furthermore, the fluorescence detection by the signal charge acquisition unit 202 is performed an arbitrary number of times for each time series as the electrophoresis progresses. That is, the fluorescence detection is performed multiple times at predetermined time intervals during the electrophoresis. One execution of the fluorescence detection is regarded as one scan. The signal charge data output unit 203 outputs pixel data (signal charge data) output from each of the CCD image sensors (imaging elements) constituting the signal charge acquisition unit 202 to the electrophoretic data processing device 1.

[0019] (Electrophoresis data processing device 1) The electrophoresis data processing device 1 outputs a binning pattern optimized for the fluorescent label used, using the signal charge data for each time series received from the electrophoresis device 2. In other words, the electrophoresis data processing device 1 determines whether the binning pattern given by default (preset) is optimal or not, and modifies the binning pattern if it is not optimal. Furthermore, if the binning pattern is optimal, the electrophoresis data processing device 1 outputs the binning pattern.

[0020] The electrophoretic data processing device 1 includes a signal charge data acquisition unit 101, a binning processing unit 102, a color conversion matrix calculation processing unit 103, a color conversion processing unit 104, a color signal evaluation processing unit 105, a judgment processing unit 106, a binning area adjustment processing unit 107, a binning pattern output unit 108, and an input / output processing unit 109.

[0021] The signal charge data acquiring unit 101 (acquiring unit) receives the signal charge data output by the electrophoretic device 2. That is, the signal charge data, which is pixel data output from the CCD image sensors (imaging devices) provided in the electrophoretic device 2, is acquired from each of the CCD image sensors (imaging devices).

[0022] The binning processing unit 102 (bin generation unit) performs binning processing. In this case, the binning processing unit 102 divides the acquired signal charge data into bins 400 (see FIGS. 3A to 4A, etc.) according to a binning pattern (for example, a preset default binning pattern), integrates the signal value for each bin 400, and outputs it as signal charge integration data (bin value). Note that instead of integration, a representative value may be generated. The representative value generation will be described later.

[0023] The bins 400 (see FIG. 3A and the like) will be described later, and values ​​(signal values) of a predetermined number of mutually adjacent pixel data are grouped together to form one bin 400. The binning pattern is a pattern related to how pixel data is grouped in the bin 400. The binning pattern and the processing performed by the binning processing unit 102 will be described later. In this way, the binning processing unit 102 calculates an integrated value or a representative value of values ​​of a predetermined number of pieces of adjacent pixel data, and sets the calculated integrated value or representative value as a bin value, thereby grouping the predetermined number of pieces of adjacent pixel data into one bin.

[0024] The color transformation matrix calculation processing unit 103 (bin value extraction unit) generates and outputs a color transformation matrix "C" based on the signal charge integration data output from the binning processing unit 102. The processing performed by the color transformation matrix calculation processing unit 103 will be described later. In this embodiment, "color" refers to the fluorescent color of the fluorescent label. The color transformation matrix calculation processing unit 103 calculates the color transformation matrix "C" to extract F (signal charge integration data) derived from the fluorescent label for each fluorescent label.

[0025] The color conversion processing unit 104 (signal intensity calculation unit) calculates signal components derived from the fluorescent labels based on the signal charge integration data output by the binning processing unit 102 and the color conversion matrix "C" output by the color conversion matrix calculation processing unit 103. The signal components derived from the fluorescent labels are composed of the signal intensities of the respective fluorescent labels (details will be described later). The color conversion processing unit 104 then outputs the calculated signal components derived from the fluorescent labels (signal intensities of the respective fluorescent labels) as fluorescent color signal data. In this way, the color conversion processing unit 104 calculates the signal intensity of each fluorescent label based on the set of extracted bin values ​​(signal charge integration data). The processing performed by the color conversion processing unit 104 will be described later.

[0026] The color signal evaluation processing unit 105 calculates a fluorescent color signal evaluation value (first evaluation value) based on the fluorescent color signal data output by the color conversion processing unit 104. The fluorescent color signal evaluation value indicates the degree of variation in the signal intensity of each fluorescent label. That is, the color signal evaluation processing unit 105 judges whether the fluorescent color signal evaluation value is smaller than a predetermined threshold value. As a result, the color signal evaluation processing unit 105 judges whether the degree of variation in the signal intensity of each fluorescent label is smaller than a predetermined threshold value. That is, the color signal evaluation processing unit 105 judges whether the variation in the signal intensity of each fluorescent label is suppressed. Then, if the fluorescent color signal evaluation value is less than the predetermined threshold value (satisfies the predetermined condition), the variation in the signal intensity of each fluorescent label is suppressed, and the color signal evaluation processing unit 105 judges that the current binning pattern is optimal. Conversely, if the fluorescent color signal evaluation value is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value (does not satisfy the predetermined condition), the variation in the signal intensity of each fluorescent label is not suppressed, and the color signal evaluation processing unit 105 judges that the binning pattern needs to be modified. In this way, the fluorescent color signal evaluation value indicates the degree of variation in the signal intensity of each fluorescent label, and is an evaluation value for determining whether the current binning pattern is optimal or not. The processing performed by the color signal evaluation processing unit 105 will be described later.

[0027] The determination processing unit 106 determines whether the fluorescence color signal evaluation value calculated by the color signal evaluation processing unit 105 is equal to or greater than a threshold value, or is less than a threshold value. In this way, the determination processing unit 106 determines whether the current binning pattern is optimal. The process performed by the determination processing unit 106 will be described later. The binning region adjustment processing unit 107 adjusts the binning pattern when the determination processing unit 106 determines that the fluorescence color signal evaluation value is less than the threshold value, that is, that the current binning pattern is not optimal. The process performed by the binning region adjustment processing unit 107 will be described later. A binning pattern output unit 108 outputs the current binning pattern to the outside when the determination processing unit 106 determines that the fluorescence color signal evaluation value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, that is, that the current binning pattern is optimal. The input / output processor 109 outputs screens 600, 610, and 620, which will be described later in FIG. 15A to FIG. 15D, to the display device 115 (see FIG. 2). The input / output processor 109 also receives information input via the input device 114 (see FIG. 2). In response to an instruction from the input / output processor 109, each of the units 101 to 108 starts processing.

[0028] [Hardware configuration] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the electrophoretic data processing device 1. As shown in FIG. The electrophoretic data processing device 1 has a memory 111, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 112, and a storage device 113 such as an HD (Hard Disk). The electrophoretic data processing device 1 also has an input device 114 such as a keyboard or a mouse, a display device 115 such as a display, and a communication device 116. The communication device 116 acquires data from the electrophoretic device 2, etc.

[0029] A program stored in storage device 113 is loaded into memory 111. Then, the loaded program is executed by CPU 112. In this way, each of units 101 to 108 shown in FIG.

[0030] In the example shown in FIG. 1, each of the units 101-108 is independent, but may be composed of one or more components as necessary. For example, each of the units 101-108 may be configured to perform its processing by one or more central processing units (CPU 112). That is, in the example shown in FIG. 1, electrophoretic data processing device 1 has all of the units 101-108, but multiple components may be provided in a device other than electrophoretic data processing device 1. For example, electrophoretic device 2 may be provided with binning processing unit 102, and color conversion matrix calculation processing unit 103 may be provided in a device other than electrophoretic data processing device 1.

[0031] [Binning] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing an example of binning used in this embodiment. 3A shows 3×6 CCD pixels 301. Note that in Fig. 3A, the numerical values ​​shown inside each CCD pixel 301 are signal values ​​(values ​​held by pixel data) detected by each CCD pixel 301.

[0032] When fluorescence detection is performed by a CCD image sensor, a method called binning is known in which a certain number of adjacent CCD pixels 301 are treated as a single bin 400 (pixel data is grouped together into one bin) to increase the light receiving area per pixel. When binning, the areas of the CCD pixels 301 to be combined into bins 400 are determined in advance. The combination (grouping) of the CCD pixels 301 in each bin 400 applied when binning is called a binning pattern.

[0033] In the example shown in Figure 3A, the shaded areas are bins 400. As shown in Figure 3A, each bin 400 is made up of a plurality of CCD pixels 301. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the left bin 401 is made up of three CCD pixels 301, the center bin 402 is made up of six CCD pixels 301, and the right bin 403 is made up of three CCD pixels 301.

[0034] As shown in the example of Fig. 3A, the number of CCD pixels 301 included in each bin 400 may be different. Also, there may be CCD pixels 301 that are not included in a bin 400, such as CCD pixel 301a in Fig. 3A.

[0035] FIG. 3B is a diagram showing the integrated signal charge values ​​in each bin 400. In FIG. In Fig. 3B, bins 401 to 403 are bin 400 that correspond to bins 401 to 403 shown in Fig. 3A. In addition, in Fig. 3B, numerical values ​​shown in bins 401 to 403 indicate the integrated signal charge values ​​(bin values) in bin 400. The integrated signal charge values ​​in bins 401 to 403 are integrated values ​​of signal values ​​(values ​​possessed by pixel data) output by CCD pixels 301 that constitute bin 400.

[0036] Such bins 400 are generated by the binning processing unit 102. That is, the binning processing unit 102 groups together signal values ​​of a predetermined number of mutually adjacent CCD pixels 301 (groups together a predetermined number of mutually adjacent pixel data) into one bin 400.

[0037] For example, the signal charge integrated value ("30") in bin 401 shown in Fig. 3B is the integrated value of the signal values ​​("9", "11", "10") of the CCD pixels 301 that make up bin 401 shown in Fig. 3A. The same is true for bins 402 and 403. In this way, the signal charge integrated value is the integrated value of the values ​​(signal values) that the pixel data has for each bin 400.

[0038] In this manner, a predetermined number of adjacent CCD pixels 301 (pixel data) output from an imaging element such as a CCD image sensor are grouped into one bin 400.

[0039] [Relationship between bin 400 and wavelength] 4A is a diagram showing the relationship between bins 400 and wavelengths, with reference to FIG. As described above, in the electrophoretic device 200 , the wavelength-dispersed fluorescence is detected by the CCD pixels 301 that constitute the signal charge acquiring section 202 . 4A, graph G1 shows the wavelength spectrum of the fluorescence dispersed by electrophoresis device 200. In graph G1, the horizontal axis shows the wavelength, and the vertical axis shows the fluorescence intensity.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 4A, in the signal charge acquiring section 202, CCD pixels 301 (that is, CCD image sensors) are arranged in the wavelength direction. That is, in this embodiment, the signal value detected by each CCD pixel 301 corresponds to the fluorescence intensity in the wavelength direction.

[0041] Moreover, in the example shown in Fig. 4A, every bin 400 is made up of three CCD pixels 301. Incidentally, the numerical value written in each CCD pixel 301 is the signal value output by that CCD pixel 301. As shown in Fig. 4A, a plurality of CCD image sensors (imaging elements) detect signals for each wavelength component of fluorescence from fluorescent labels, and pixel data in which the signals are converted into electrical signals is output.

[0042] In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 4A, the case where the signal charge acquisition unit 202 can acquire a wavelength range of 500 nm to 700 nm is shown. The CCD pixels 301 are arranged so that the wavelength range to which one bin 400 is assigned is 10 nm. That is, the bin 411 is assigned a wavelength of 500 to 510 nm, the bin 412 is assigned a wavelength of 510-520 nm, . . . , the bin 430 is assigned a wavelength of 690-700 nm. That is, an example of a binning pattern in which the wavelength range of 500 nm to 700 nm is divided into 20 bins 400 is shown. Note that the reference numeral 500 indicates bin numbers from 1 to 20. The bin numbers are numbers uniquely assigned to the bins 411 to 430. Of course, the binning pattern does not need to limit the number of bins 400 to 20 as shown in FIG. 4A. Moreover, the wavelengths acquired by the signal charge acquiring section 202 do not have to be in the entire wavelength range (500 to 700 nm in the example of FIG. 4A).

[0043] FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an example of the signal charge integrated value (bin value) in the bin 400 shown in FIG. 4A. The bins 411 to 430 shown in Fig. 4B correspond to the bins 411 to 430 shown in Fig. 4A. The numerical values ​​shown inside the bins 411 to 430 indicate the integrated signal charge values ​​in the bins 411 to 430, respectively. The numerical values ​​shown inside the bins 411 to 430 in Fig. 4B are the sums (integrated values) of the integrated signal charge values ​​output by the CCD pixels 301 that constitute the bins 411 to 430, respectively, in Fig. 4A.

[0044] [Full Processing] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of electrophoretic data processing according to the first embodiment. Please refer to Figures 1 and 2 as appropriate. First, the input / output processing unit 109 performs a screen display process (S0) for displaying a screen on the display device 115. The screen displayed in step S0 will be described later with reference to Figs. 15A to 15D. When the input / output processing unit 109 instructs the start of processing, the signal charge data acquiring unit 101 acquires signal charge data from the electrophoretic device 2 (S1). The signal charge data is data (pixel data) output from the signal charge data output unit 203 of the electrophoretic device 2. Specifically, it is a signal value (a value possessed by the pixel data) shown in the CCD pixel 301 in FIG. 3A or FIG. 4B. In other words, the signal charge data acquiring unit 101 (acquiring unit) acquires the CCD pixel 301 (pixel data) output from the CCD image sensor (imaging element) from each of the CCD image sensors (imaging elements).

[0045] Next, the binning processing unit 102 performs the binning process (S2). Step S2 will be described later. Then, the color transformation matrix calculation processing unit 103 performs a color transformation matrix calculation process (S3). Step S3 will be described later. Next, the color conversion processing unit 104 performs a color conversion process (S4). Step S4 will be described later. Furthermore, the color signal evaluation processing unit 105 performs a color signal evaluation process (S5). Step S5 will be described later, but in step S5 the color signal evaluation processing unit 105 calculates a fluorescent color signal evaluation value.

[0046] Then, the determination processor 106 determines whether or not the fluorescent color signal evaluation value calculated by the color signal evaluation processor 15 satisfies a predetermined condition (S6). Step S6 will be described later. If the fluorescence color signal evaluation value does not satisfy the predetermined condition (S6→No), the binning region adjustment processing unit 107 performs a binning adjustment process (S7). Thereafter, the electrophoretic data processing device 1 returns to step S2. The process of step S7 will be described later. If the fluorescence color signal evaluation value satisfies a predetermined condition (S6→Yes), the binning pattern output unit 108 outputs a binning pattern.

[0047] Each of the processes shown in FIG. 5 will now be described in detail.

[0048] [Binning process] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the binning process performed in the first embodiment. The process shown in Fig. 6 is performed by the binning processing unit 102 (see Fig. 1), and shows the detailed procedure of step S2 in Fig. 5. The binning processor 102 performs binning on the signal charge data and outputs integrated signal charge data, as described above with reference to FIG. In the following description, reference will be made to FIGS. 1 to 4B as appropriate. First, the binning processing unit 102 sets the bins 400 by dividing the signal charge data in the wavelength direction according to a binning pattern stored in the storage device 113 (see FIG. 2) (S201). That is, the binning processing unit 102 bins a predetermined number of adjacent CCD pixels 301 (groups pixel data into one bin 400) based on a preset default binning pattern. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the binning processing unit 102 groups a plurality of CCD pixels 301 as a bin 400 based on the default binning pattern. Also, the size of the divided region does not matter in the binning pattern applied for the first time by the binning processing unit 102. For example, the CCD pixels 301 may be divided one by one, or the division intervals may not be constant. However, it is preferable to set the default binning pattern so that the number of CCD pixels 301 constituting the bin 400 can be adjusted in a binning adjustment process described later.

[0049] Next, the binning processing unit 102 integrates or represents the signal values ​​of the CCD pixels 301 constituting the bins 400 divided in step S201 where the bins 400 are set (S202). Methods for representing the signal values ​​include calculating the average value, median value, maximum value, minimum value, etc. For example, when an average value is calculated, the binning processing unit 102 calculates the average value of the signal values ​​of the CCD pixels 301 that constitute each bin 400. When a median value is calculated, the binning processing unit 102 calculates the median value of the signal values ​​of the CCD pixels 301 that constitute each bin 400. When a maximum value and a minimum value are calculated, the binning processing unit 102 calculates the maximum value and the minimum value of the signal values ​​of the CCD pixels 301 that constitute each bin 400.

[0050] 3 and 4A, the signal values ​​of the CCD pixels 301 constituting each bin 400 are the same, but in reality there is variation. In such a case, the binning processing unit 102 may calculate the average value, median value, maximum value, or minimum value of the CCD pixels 301 constituting each bin 400. The user may decide whether to integrate or represent the values ​​for each bin 400. The process of step S202 corresponds to the process shown in Fig. 4B. Incidentally, the examples shown in Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B are examples in which integration is performed in step S202 (the signal values ​​in Fig. 4A are integrated as in Fig. 4B). In this embodiment, it is assumed that integration is performed in step S202.

[0051] In this way, the binning processing unit 102 calculates an integrated value or a representative value of the signal values ​​(values ​​held by the pixel data) of a predetermined number of adjacent CCD pixels 301, and sets the calculated integrated value or representative value as a bin value (signal charge integrated value in this embodiment), thereby grouping the predetermined number of adjacent pixel data into one bin. Note that in this embodiment, the binning processing unit 102 calculates a signal charge integrated value, which is an integrated value of the signal values ​​(values ​​held by the pixel data) of the CCD pixels 301 for each bin 400.

[0052] Thereafter, the binning processing unit 102 outputs the signal charge integrated value integrated (or representative value) in step S202 to the color transformation matrix calculation processing unit 103 and the color transformation processing unit 104 as signal charge integrated data (S203). Then, electrophoresis data processing device 1 returns the process to step S3 in FIG.

[0053] [Color transformation matrix calculation process] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the color transformation matrix calculation process performed in the first embodiment. The process shown in Fig. 7 is performed by the color transformation matrix calculation processing unit 103 (bin value extraction unit) in Fig. 1, and shows the detailed procedure of step S3 in Fig. 5. A specific example of the process shown in Fig. 7 will be described later with reference to Figs. 8 and 9. In the color transformation matrix calculation process, the color transformation matrix calculation processing unit 103 calculates the color transformation matrix "C" from the signal charge integrated data as described above in Fig. 1. The color transformation matrix "C" is calculated from the signal charge integrated data having a peak composed only of a specific fluorescent label. The color transformation matrix "C" will be described later.

[0054] First, the color transformation matrix calculation processing unit 103 extracts the position of a peak (second peak) specific to the fluorescent label in the signal charge integrated data (S301). In other words, the color transformation matrix calculation processing unit 103 extracts a peak (second peak) specific to the fluorescent label in the signal charge integrated data. That is, the color transformation matrix calculation processing unit 103 extracts a peak (second peak corresponding to the fluorescent label) specific to the fluorescent label from the time series of the signal charge integrated value. Next, the color transformation matrix calculation processor 103 acquires the signal charge integrated value of each CCD divided region (bin 400) constituting the peak (S302). That is, for each peak (second peak) specific to the fluorescent label, the color transformation matrix calculation processor 103 extracts the signal charge integrated value constituting the peak (second peak) specific to the fluorescent label. Next, the color conversion matrix calculation processing unit 103 normalizes the signal charge integrated value of each acquired wavelength component (S303). The normalization procedure will be described later.

[0055] Then, the color transformation matrix calculation processing unit 103 determines whether or not the processes of steps S301 to S303 have been completed for all fluorescent labels (S304). If the processing of steps S301 to S303 has not been completed for all fluorescent markers (S304→No), the color transformation matrix calculation processing unit 103 returns to the process of step S301. Then, the color transformation matrix calculation processing unit 103 performs steps S301 to S303 for the fluorescent markers for which the processing of steps S301 to S303 has not been performed.

[0056] On the other hand, if the processes in steps S301 to S303 have been completed for all fluorescent labels (S304→Yes), the color transformation matrix calculation processing unit 103 generates each normalized wavelength component as a matrix of the number of fluorescent labels×the number of bins (S305). Then, color transformation matrix calculation processing unit 103 outputs the matrix generated in step S305 to color transformation processing unit 104 as color transformation matrix C (S306). Then, electrophoresis data processing device 1 returns the process to step S4 in FIG.

[0057] 8 is a diagram showing an example of the signal charge integrated data, which is obtained by the color transformation matrix calculation processing unit 103 from the binning processing unit 102. 8, the horizontal axis indicates the time course of electrophoresis (actually, the number of scans (Scan number)), and the vertical axis indicates the signal charge integrated value. In other words, as shown in FIG 8, the signal charge integrated data is time-series data of the signal charge integrated value. Moreover, peaks 501 to 504 shown in FIG. 8 indicate peaks corresponding to the respective fluorescent labels. In this embodiment, it is assumed that four fluorescent labels are used as shown in FIG. 8. The four fluorescent labels are appropriately described as the first fluorescent label, the second fluorescent label, the third fluorescent label, and the fourth fluorescent label. The first fluorescent label corresponds to peak 501, and the second fluorescent label corresponds to peak 502. Similarly, the third fluorescent label corresponds to peak 503, and the fourth fluorescent label corresponds to peak 504. The peaks 501 to 504 correspond to the second peaks described above. In this way, the color conversion matrix calculation processing unit 103 extracts peaks 501 to 504 (second peaks) that are peaks corresponding to the fluorescent labels from the time series of the signal charge integrated values.

[0058] 8, a plurality of lines shown among the peaks 501 to 504 indicate the signal charge integrated values ​​in the respective bins 400. In this manner, the peaks 501 to 504 are sets of signal charge integrated values ​​(bin values) derived from the fluorescent labels extracted for each fluorescent label.

[0059] For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when signal charge integrated data including four fluorescent labels is used, the color transformation matrix calculation processing unit 103 extracts the signal charge integrated values ​​of 20 bins 400 constituting each of the peaks 501-504 of the fluorescent labels (signal charge integrated values ​​constituting the second peaks). In other words, the color transformation matrix calculation processing unit 103 extracts the signal charge integrated values ​​constituting the peaks 501-504 (second peaks) for each of the peaks 501-504 (second peaks). This process corresponds to step S302 in FIG. 7. Detecting the peaks 501-504 is step S301 in FIG. 7.

[0060] Thereafter, the color transformation matrix calculation processing unit 103 normalizes the signal charge integrated values ​​in [0, 1] by dividing the signal charge integrated values ​​of the 20 bins 400 by the maximum value of the signal charge integrated values. The normalization is performed for each of the peaks 501 to 504. This process corresponds to step S303 in FIG. 7.

[0061] The color transformation matrix calculation processing unit 103 extracts and normalizes such peaks 501 to 504 for each of the four fluorescent labels (step S304 in FIG. 7). In this way, the color transformation matrix calculation processing unit 103 extracts a set of signal charge integrated values ​​(bin values) derived from the fluorescent labels for each fluorescent label.

[0062] The results of peak extraction and normalization for each of the four fluorescent labels are shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, spectra 511 to 514 are plotted with the horizontal axis representing wavelength components (bin numbers) and the vertical axis representing normalized signal charge integrated values. The spectra 511 to 514 correspond to four fluorescent labels, respectively. The color transformation matrix calculation processing unit 103 generates (calculates) a matrix having 4×20 components, which is the number of fluorescent labels ("4" in the example shown in FIG. 9) and the number of bins in the wavelength direction ("20" in this embodiment), as a color transformation matrix "C" (transformation matrix) for the spectra 511 to 514 shown in FIG. 9 (corresponding to steps S305 and S306 in FIG. 7). The color transformation matrix calculation processing unit 103 stores the generated color transformation matrix "C" in the storage unit. That is, the color transformation matrix "C" is a matrix in which the extracted individual peaks 501 to 504 (second peaks) are row components, the bin 400 is column components, and the signal charge integrated values ​​are the values ​​of the individual components. In this embodiment, capital letters enclosed in quotation marks, such as "C", indicate matrices (however, the quotation marks are removed in the calculation formulas). Each of the spectra 511 to 514 corresponds to a set of signal charge integrated values ​​(bin values) derived from the fluorescent labels, extracted for each fluorescent label.

[0063] [Color conversion processing] Next, the color conversion process performed by the color conversion processing unit 104 (signal intensity calculation unit) will be described. The color conversion processing unit 104 converts the signal charge integrated data into fluorescent color signal data derived from each fluorescent label contained in the sample, using the color conversion matrix "C" calculated in the process shown in FIG.

[0064] Specifically, the color conversion processing unit 104 generates the fluorescent color signal data in the following manner. Moreover, the signal charge integration matrix is ​​assumed to be "F" (a matrix of the number of scans x the number of bins). The signal charge integration matrix "F" is a matrix of the signal charge integration data shown in Fig. 8 as the number of scans x the number of bins. In other words, the signal charge integration matrix "F" is a matrix in which the time series of the signal charge integration values ​​is represented by the number of scans as row components and the bins 400 as column components, and the signal charge integration values ​​are represented as the values ​​of the individual components.

[0065] The color transformation matrix is ​​defined as a matrix (a set of extracted bin values) represented by "C" (number of fluorescent labels × number of bins), and the fluorescent color signal data generated from this is defined as a matrix represented by "P" (number of scans × number of colors). The following equations (1) and (2) are then assumed to hold. The color transformation processing unit 104 calculates the inverse matrix of the color transformation matrix "C" (transformation matrix) as shown in equation (2), and calculates the signal component "P" derived from each fluorescent label by multiplying "F" from the right by the inverse matrix of the calculated color transformation matrix "C."

[0066] F=P C (1) FC -1 =PCC -1 =P (2)

[0067] However, when the color transformation matrix “C” and the signal charge integration matrix “F” are defined by their respective transpose matrices, the signal component “P” derived from the fluorescent label is calculated by multiplying “F” by the inverse matrix of the color transformation matrix “C” from the left. The signal component "P" derived from the fluorescent label calculated by such a calculation has as its components the time series of the signal intensity of each fluorescent label. That is, the color conversion processing unit 104 obtains the time series of the signal intensity of each fluorescent label by performing the calculation of formula (2). In this way, the color conversion processing unit 104 calculates the signal intensity of each fluorescent label based on the signal data integration data (a set of extracted bin values).

[0068] (flowchart) Next, the color conversion process performed by the color conversion processing unit 104 will be described with reference to FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the color conversion process performed in the first embodiment. Note that the process shown in FIG. 10 shows detailed procedures of step S4 in FIG. First, the color conversion processing unit 104 calculates the inverse matrix of the color conversion matrix “C” (the “C” in the formula (2) -1 ") is calculated (S401). Due to the number of matrix elements, a pseudo-inverse matrix may be used instead of an inverse matrix.

[0069] Next, the signal component “P” (signal charge integration data) derived from the fluorescent label is multiplied by the inverse matrix of the color transformation matrix “C” from the right (S402). This process corresponds to the above-mentioned formula (2). Thereafter, the color conversion processing unit 104 outputs the data calculated in step S402 (the signal component "P" derived from the fluorescent label in formula (2)) to the color signal evaluation processing unit 105 as fluorescence color signal data (S403). Then, electrophoresis data processing device 1 returns the process to step S5 in FIG.

[0070] (Fluorescence color signal data) FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of fluorescent color signal data. In Fig. 11, the horizontal axis indicates the time course of electrophoresis (actually, the number of scans (Scan Number)), and the vertical axis indicates signal intensity. Fig. 11 is a graph showing the matrix "P" of signal components derived from fluorescent labels, as shown in equation (2). Unlike Fig. 8, the signal intensity shown in Fig. 11 has the information of bin 400 eliminated, and instead shows the relationship between time and signal intensity. Note that in this embodiment, the information of CCD pixel 301 is called the "signal value", the information of bin 400 is called the "signal charge integrated value", and the information of the fluorescent color signal data shown in Fig. 11 is called the "signal intensity". As shown in FIG. 11, the matrix "P" of the signal components derived from the fluorescent labels has information on the signal intensities 521 to 524 which are the signal intensities derived from the respective fluorescent labels.

[0071] [Fluorescent color signal evaluation value calculation process] Next, the process of calculating the fluorescent color signal evaluation value by the color signal evaluation processor 105 will be described with reference to FIGS. The color signal evaluation processing unit 105 calculates a fluorescence color signal evaluation value from the fluorescence color signal data, as described above with reference to FIG.

[0072] (flowchart) 12 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the fluorescence color signal evaluation value calculation process performed in the first embodiment, showing the detailed procedure of step S5 in FIG. First, the color signal evaluation processing unit 105 extracts the peak intensity derived from each fluorescent label from the fluorescent color signal data (S501). As described above, the fluorescent color signal data is the matrix "P" of the signal components derived from the fluorescent labels calculated by the formula (2), and is shown in FIG. 11. The peak intensity is the peak value in the signal intensity derived from each fluorescent label. When extracting the peak intensity, the color signal evaluation processing unit 105 uses the fluorescent color signal data acquired using a sample that is known in advance to have the same or closer molecular weight of the fluorescent labels forming the peaks in each fluorescent label. In other words, the peaks are estimated using a sample that is known in advance to have the same or closer molecular weight of the fluorescent labels forming the peaks, and the peak intensities are extracted.

[0073] Next, the color signal evaluation processing unit 105 calculates the signal intensity average value (value related to the first peak, which is the peak of the signal intensity, value related to the peak of the signal intensity) of the signal intensity 521 to 524 (see FIG. 11) derived from each fluorescent label (S502). For example, the signal intensity average value of the peak seen in the signal derived from the first fluorescent label is set as INT(P1). Similarly, it is set as INT(P2), INT(P3), and INT(P4) corresponding to the second fluorescent label, the third fluorescent label, and the fourth fluorescent label. For example, the color signal evaluation processing unit 105 calculates the average value of the signal intensity 521 in FIG. 11 as INT(P1). Similarly, the color signal evaluation processing unit 105 calculates the average values ​​of the signals 522 to 524 in FIG. 11 as INT(P2) to INT(P4).

[0074] Next, the color signal evaluation processing unit 105 extracts the largest value from among INT(P1) to INT(P4) as INT(Max) and the smallest value as INT(Min). Then, the color signal evaluation processing unit 105 uses the extracted features to calculate the signal intensity ratio X shown in the following formula (3) (S503).

[0075] X=INT(Min) / INT(Max) ··· (3)

[0076] Thereafter, the color signal evaluation processing unit 105 outputs the signal intensity ratio X calculated in step S503 as a fluorescent color signal evaluation value (evaluation value, first evaluation value) (S504). The fluorescent color signal evaluation value calculated in this manner is an evaluation value that indicates the degree of variation in the signal intensities 521 to 524 shown in FIG. Then, the electrophoresis data processing device 1 returns to the process of step S6 in FIG.

[0077] For example, FIG. 13 shows the average signal intensity calculated based on the fluorescent color signal data shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the signal intensity average value. FIG. 13 shows the processing result of step S502 in FIG. 13 is the signal intensity average value (INT(P1)="10300") derived from the first fluorescent label. The signal intensity average value 532 is the signal intensity average value (INT(P2)="15500") derived from the second fluorescent label. The signal intensity average value 533 is the signal intensity average value (INT(P3)="6000") derived from the third fluorescent label. Furthermore, the signal intensity average value 534 is the signal intensity average value (INT(P4)="9700") derived from the fourth fluorescent label. The process of calculating such signal intensity average values ​​531 to 534 corresponds to step S502 in FIG. 12.

[0078] 13, INT(Max) is INT(P2) (signal intensity average value 522)=15500, and INT(Min) is INT(P3) (signal intensity average value 523)=6000. Therefore, the signal intensity ratio X is 6000 / 15500=0.39. This process corresponds to step S503 in FIG. 12. Then, as described above, color signal evaluation processing unit 105 outputs the calculated signal intensity ratio X as a fluorescence color signal evaluation value (step S504 in FIG. 12).

[0079] [Judgment process] Next, the determination process by the determination processing unit 106 in step S6 in FIG. 5 will be described. The judgment processing unit 106 judges whether to transition the next process to a binning region adjustment process (step S7 in FIG. 5) or to a binning pattern output process (step S8 in FIG. 5) based on the fluorescent color signal evaluation value. If the fluorescent color signal evaluation value (signal intensity ratio X) is less than a predetermined threshold (S6→No: predetermined condition is satisfied), the current binning pattern is determined to be not optimal, and the next process is the binning region adjustment process (step S7 in FIG. 5). On the other hand, if the fluorescent color signal evaluation value is equal to or greater than the threshold (S6→Yes: predetermined condition is not satisfied), the current binning pattern is determined to be optimal, and the next process is the binning pattern output process (step S8 in FIG. 5).

[0080] [Binning area adjustment process] Next, the binning region adjustment process performed by the binning region adjustment processor 107 will be described with reference to FIG. The binning region adjustment processor 107 adjusts the binning pattern for dividing the wavelength regions. The binning region adjustment processor 107 uses the signal intensity average value (FIG. 13) used in calculating the fluorescence color signal evaluation value, the relationship between the fluorescence wavelength distribution and the bins 400 shown in FIG. 4A, the normalized signal charge integrated value shown in FIG. 9, and the like.

[0081] (flowchart) 14 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the binning region adjustment process. Note that the process shown in FIG. 14 shows detailed procedures of step S7 in FIG. First, the binning region adjustment processing unit 107 extracts the fluorescent label having the smallest (smallest) signal intensity average value (value related to the first peak, value related to the peak of the signal intensity) of the fluorescent color signal data (S701). In the example of the fluorescent color signal data shown in Fig. 13, the signal intensity average value 533 (INT(P3)), i.e., the third fluorescent label, is extracted. Next, the binning region adjustment processing unit 107 performs a bin width enlargement process (S702) to enlarge the bin width (size of the bin 400) so that the region corresponding to the wavelength where the fluorescent label extracted in step S701 is strong becomes larger. That is, the binning region adjustment processing unit 107 enlarges the bin width so that the peak signal charge integrated value becomes larger for the fluorescent label extracted in S701.

[0082] For example, the binning region adjustment processing unit 107 expands the width of the bin 400 corresponding to the peak top portion (the maximum bin value that is the largest bin value among the set of bin values) of the third fluorescent label (spectrum 513) in FIG. 9 by 10 to 80%. Furthermore, the binning region adjustment processing unit 107 reduces the width of the bins 400 adjacent to the expanded bin 400 accordingly. By performing such processing, the influence of the expansion of the width of the bin 400 on other bins 400 can be suppressed.

[0083] 9, the normalized spectrum 513 corresponding to the third fluorescent label has a peak at bin number "7." Therefore, in step S702, the binning region adjustment processing unit 107 expands the bin width of the bin 400 with bin number "7." Note that such expansion of the bin width is also applied to other fluorescent labels.

[0084] Next, the binning region adjustment processing unit 107 extracts the fluorescent label having the maximum (largest) signal intensity average value (value related to the first peak) of the fluorescent color signal data (S703). In the example of the fluorescent color signal data shown in Fig. 13, the signal intensity average value 532 (INT(P2)), i.e., the second fluorescent label, is extracted. Then, the binning region adjustment processing unit 107 performs a bin width reduction process to reduce the bin width (size of the bin 400) so that the region corresponding to the wavelength where the extracted fluorescent label is strong becomes smaller (S704). That is, the binning region adjustment processing unit 107 reduces the bin width so that the peak signal charge integrated value becomes smaller for the fluorescent label extracted in step S703.

[0085] For example, the binning region adjustment processing unit 107 reduces the bin number corresponding to the peak top portion (maximum bin value) of the second fluorescent label (spectrum 512) in Fig. 9 by 10 to 80%. Furthermore, the binning region adjustment processing unit 107 expands the width of the bin 400 adjacent to the reduced bin 400. By performing such processing, it is possible to suppress the influence of the expansion of the width of the bin 400 on other bins 400.

[0086] 9, the normalized spectrum 512 corresponding to the second fluorescent label has a peak at bin number "5." Therefore, in step S704, the binning region adjustment processing unit 107 reduces the bin width of the bin 400 with bin number "5." Note that such reduction in bin width is also applied to other fluorescent labels.

[0087] In step S704, the binning region adjustment processing unit 107 may reduce the bin width so as not to acquire a part of the region corresponding to the wavelength where the extracted fluorescent label is strong. In other words, reducing the width of the bin 400 may include deleting the bin 400. For example, the bin 400 belonging to the peak top part may be left, and the bin 400 adjacent to the peak top part may be deleted. By performing such processing, the influence of the expansion of the width of the bin 400 on other bins 400 can be suppressed.

[0088] Then, the binning region adjustment processing unit 107 generates a binning pattern reflecting the adjusted bin width as a second binning pattern. Then, if the binning pattern before adjusting the bin width is the first binning pattern, the binning region adjustment processing unit 107 updates the first binning pattern with the second binning pattern (updating the binning pattern: S705).

[0089] The electrophoresis data processing device 1 repeatedly executes the processes of steps S2 to S6 in Fig. 5 using the updated binning pattern (second binning pattern). The repetition continues until the determination processing unit 106 determines that the fluorescent color signal evaluation value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. When the determination processing unit 106 finally determines that the fluorescent color signal evaluation value is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, the binning pattern output unit 108 outputs the final binning pattern to the outside (step S8 in Fig. 5).

[0090] [Operation screen] Screens displayed in the first embodiment will be described below with appropriate reference to Fig. 2. Note that screens 600, 610, and 620 shown in Figs. 15A to 15D below are screens displayed in step S0 in Fig. 2. FIG. 15A is a diagram showing an example of the menu screen 600. As shown in FIG. 15A, menu screen 600 has an analysis execution button 601 (an electrophoresis execution button for executing electrophoresis by an electrophoresis device), an analysis sample setting button 602, a fluorescence sensitivity adjustment button 603 (a sensitivity adjustment execution button for executing sensitivity adjustment for each fluorescent label), and a maintenance button 604. When an analysis execution button 601 is selected and input via the input device 114, analysis of the sample by electrophoresis is started. The analysis sample setting button 602 is a button for setting a sample. Furthermore, when a fluorescence sensitivity adjustment button 603 displayed separately from the analysis execution button 601 is selected and input via the input device 114, processing by the binning processing unit 102 to the binning region adjustment processing unit 107 is started. A maintenance button 604 is a button that is selected and input when maintenance of the electrophoretic device 2 is performed.

[0091] In Fig. 15A, the case where the analysis execution button 601 is selected and input by the input device 114 (see Fig. 2) when the fluorescence sensitivity adjustment is incomplete is represented by the mouse cursor M. Then, fluorescent color signal data in which the intensity of each fluorescent label varies as shown in Fig. 11 is acquired. The state where the fluorescence sensitivity adjustment is incomplete is a state where the fluorescence sensitivity adjustment button 603 has not been selected and the processing by the binning processing unit 102 to the binning area adjustment processing unit 107 has not started (before processing by the bin generation unit, signal intensity calculation unit, and adjustment unit has been performed). Furthermore, when the execute analysis button 601 is selected and input via the input device 114 while the fluorescence sensitivity adjustment is incomplete, a dialogue screen 610 (a display prompting processing by the bin generation unit, the signal intensity calculation unit, and the adjustment unit) shown in FIG. 15B is displayed, which warns the user of the caution and prompts the user to adjust the fluorescence sensitivity.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 15B, a dialogue screen 610 displays a YES button 611 and a NO button 612. When a YES button 611 on the dialogue screen 610 is selected and input via the input device 114, analysis of the sample by electrophoresis is performed. Moreover, when a NO button 612 on the dialogue screen 610 is selected and input via the input device 114 (represented by the mouse cursor M in FIG. 15B), the screen returns to the menu screen 600 shown in FIG. 15A.

[0093] FIG. 15C is a diagram showing menu screen 600 in which fluorescence sensitivity adjustment button 603 is selected via input device 114 (represented by mouse cursor M in FIG. 15C). It should be noted that the configuration of the menu screen 600 shown in FIG. 15C is the same as that in FIG. 15A, so the same reference numerals as in FIG. 15A are used in FIG. 15C, and the description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 15C, when the fluorescence sensitivity adjustment button 603 is selected and input (selection of the sensitivity adjustment execution button via the input unit), the screen transitions to a fluorescence sensitivity adjustment screen 620 shown in FIG. 15D.

[0094] The fluorescence sensitivity adjustment screen 620 displays a sample content input window 621 and a set confirmation button 622. In the sample content input window 621, the user inputs the type of adjustment sample via the input device 114, or selects it from a pull-down menu (not shown). The adjustment sample is a DNA molecule to which multiple fluorescent labels have been added. When the adjustment sample is set in the electrophoresis device 2, the user selects and inputs, via the input device 114, the set confirmation button 622 associated with the sample content input window 621 of the set adjustment sample.

[0095] In this way, after a sample required for fluorescence sensitivity adjustment has been set in electrophoresis apparatus 2, the user selects and inputs start button 623, thereby starting the process shown in Fig. 5 using the set adjustment sample. In this way, selection of fluorescence sensitivity adjustment button 603 (sensitivity adjustment execution button) via input device 114 (input section) starts the process from step S1 in Fig. 5 onwards. Note that in Fig. 15D, the mouse cursor M indicates that start button 623 has been selected and input by the user.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 15D, a plurality of adjustment samples can be set.

[0097] 15A to 15D are displayed on the display device 115 (see FIG. 2) by the input / output processing unit 109 (see FIG. 1). The input / output processing unit 109 also acquires information input via the input device 114 (see FIG. 2). That is, when the input / output processing unit 109 acquires an instruction to start sensitivity adjustment by selecting and inputting a start button 623 shown in FIG. 15D (by selecting the sensitivity adjustment execution button via the input unit), the input / output processing unit 109 instructs the signal charge data acquiring unit 101 (see FIG. 1) to start processing.

[0098] In a typical electrophoresis system Z, the fluorescence sensitivity adjustment button 603 as shown in Fig. 15A or 15C is not displayed on menu screen 600. Furthermore, in a typical electrophoresis system Z, the dialogue screen 610 shown in Fig. 15B or the fluorescence sensitivity adjustment screen 620 shown in Fig. 15D is not displayed. Furthermore, by displaying screens 600, 610, and 620 shown in Figs. 15A to 15C, the user can easily perform the process shown in Fig. 5.

[0099] [Fluorescence color signal data] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of fluorescent color signal data indicating the result of the completion of the sensitivity adjustment process according to this embodiment. FIG. 16 shows the fluorescence color signal data that is finally displayed on the display device 115 when the analysis execution button 601 shown in FIGS. 15A and 15C is selected and input after the fluorescence sensitivity adjustment is completed. The horizontal and vertical axes in FIG. 16 are the same as those in FIG. 11, and therefore the explanation will be omitted. Signal intensities 541 to 544 shown in FIG. 16 indicate the signal intensities of the fluorescent labels corresponding to the signal intensities 521 to 524 shown in FIG. In FIG. 16, compared to the signal intensities 521 to 524 shown in FIG. 11, the signal intensities 541 to 544 are approximately the same.

[0100] As with the technology described in Patent Document 1, binning at equal intervals can reduce the amount of data. However, because the wavelength characteristics of fluorescent labels differ, there is variation in the intensity of the fluorescent color separation signals even if the concentration ratio of each fluorescent label is the same. If this variation is large, the concentration range of the fluorescent labels that can be detected becomes narrow. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the appropriate binning pattern, but up until now, adjustment of the appropriate binning pattern has been performed manually.

[0101] According to the first embodiment, the electrophoretic data processing device 1 searches for and outputs an optimal binning pattern for suppressing variation in signal intensity based on the signal values ​​of the CCD pixels 301. This makes it possible to reliably obtain signal intensity with reduced variation while reducing the burden on the user.

[0102] That is, the electrophoresis system Z according to the first embodiment can obtain fluorescent color signal data in which the variation in signal intensity of each fluorescent label is reduced, as shown in FIG.

[0103] 5, steps S2 to S7 are repeated until "Yes" is determined in step S6. In this way, regardless of the default binning pattern, a binning pattern optimal for suppressing the variation in signal strength can be obtained. As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to calculate an effective binning pattern for a set of fluorescent labels used accurately and as quickly as possible, and it is possible to suppress variations in sensitivity of the fluorescent labels.

[0104] Even if the bin 400 is adjusted to improve the S / N ratio as in the techniques described in Patent Documents 2 and 3, there may be variations in the signal strength of the fluorescent label. Variations in the signal strength of the fluorescent label are undesirable because they also cause variations in the results of data analysis. In this embodiment, priority is given to suppressing the variation in the signal strength of the fluorescent label rather than improving the S / N ratio. In this way, it is possible to suppress the variation in the results of data analysis, and it is possible to perform more accurate data analysis than simply improving the S / N ratio.

[0105] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. [System Configuration] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electrophoresis system Za according to the second embodiment. 17, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. 17 differs from FIG 1 in that electrophoretic data processing device 1a additionally includes color transformation matrix evaluation processing unit 121. The processing performed by color transformation matrix evaluation processing unit 121 will be described later. Color transformation matrix evaluation processing unit 121 is realized by loading a program stored in storage device 113 shown in FIG 2 into memory 111 and executing it by CPU 112.

[0106] [Full Processing] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of electrophoretic data processing performed in the second embodiment. In FIG. 18, the same processes as those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. The process shown in Fig. 18 differs from Fig. 5 in that a color conversion matrix evaluation process (S5A) is added after step S5. Step S5A will be described later. Steps S6A and S7A will be described later.

[0107] [Color transformation matrix evaluation process] Step S5A (color transformation matrix evaluation process) in FIG. 18 will now be described. The color transformation matrix evaluation processing unit 121 (second evaluation value calculation unit) calculates a color transformation matrix evaluation value (second evaluation value) from the color transformation matrix "C" calculated by the color transformation matrix calculation processing unit 103. For example, the condition number of the color transformation matrix "C" can be used as the color transformation matrix evaluation formula value. When the color transformation matrix is ​​"C", the condition number k(C) of the color transformation matrix "C", that is, the color transformation matrix evaluation value is a value calculated from the following formula (11) which is the color transformation matrix evaluation formula. Of course, an index other than the condition number shown in formula (4) may be used for the color transformation matrix evaluation value. Note that ||C|| indicates the square norm value of C. Such a color transformation matrix evaluation value indicates the calculation accuracy when calculating the signal component "P" derived from the fluorescent label in formula (2) (the signal intensity of each fluorescent label). In this way, the color transformation matrix evaluation processing unit 121 calculates a color transformation matrix evaluation value (second evaluation value) that indicates the calculation accuracy when calculating the signal component “P” (signal intensity of each fluorescent label) derived from the fluorescent label based on the color transformation matrix “C” (transformation matrix).

[0108] k(C)=||C -1 ||·||C|| ··· (11)

[0109] Then, in step S6A of FIG. 18, the determination processing unit 106 determines whether the next process should be a binning area adjustment process (step S7A of FIG. 18) or a binning pattern output process (step S8 of FIG. 18) based on the fluorescence color signal evaluation value and the color conversion matrix evaluation value. In step S6 of FIG. 18, if either the fluorescence color signal evaluation value or the color conversion matrix evaluation value does not satisfy a predetermined criterion (S6A of FIG. 18→No; the first evaluation value and the second evaluation value satisfy a predetermined condition), the next process is a binning adjustment process (step S7A of FIG. 18). In addition, if both the fluorescence color signal evaluation value and the color conversion matrix evaluation value satisfy the predetermined criterion (S6A of FIG. 18→Yes), the next process is a process by the binning pattern output unit 108 (step S8 of FIG. 18). The predetermined criterion is, for example, that the value is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold.

[0110] In step S7A in Fig. 18, the binning region adjustment processing unit 107 performs processing to increase the calculation accuracy from the current calculation accuracy, in addition to the processing (bin adjustment) performed in step S7 in Fig. 5. The processing to increase the calculation accuracy means, for example, changing a calculation currently performed in single precision to a calculation in double precision.

[0111] In the second embodiment, the fluorescent color signal evaluation value and the color transformation matrix evaluation value are determined simultaneously in step S6A in Fig. 18, but the determination may be made in two stages. That is, if the fluorescent color signal evaluation value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold in step S6 (S6A→Yes), the determination processing unit 106 may determine whether the pull-up evaluation value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. If the color transformation matrix evaluation value is less than the predetermined threshold, the binning area adjustment unit 107 (adjustment unit) performs processing to increase the calculation accuracy beyond the current calculation accuracy. After that, the electrophoretic data processing device 1 returns the processing to step S2.

[0112] On the other hand, if the color transformation matrix evaluation value is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value, step S8 is performed.

[0113] According to the second embodiment, it is possible to suppress a decrease in calculation accuracy.

[0114] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. [System Configuration] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electrophoresis system Zb according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 19, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Electrophoresis system Zb shown in Fig. 19 differs from electrophoresis system Z shown in Fig. 1 in that electrophoresis data processing device 1b includes pull-up evaluation processing unit 131. The processing performed by pull-up evaluation processing unit 131 will be described later. Pull-up evaluation processing unit 131 is realized by loading a program stored in storage device 113 shown in Fig. 2 into memory 111 and executing it by CPU 112.

[0115] [Full Processing] FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of electrophoretic data processing performed in the third embodiment. In FIG. 20, the same processes as those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. The process shown in Fig. 20 differs from Fig. 5 in that a pull-up evaluation process (S5B) is added after step S5. Step S5B will be described later. Steps S6B and S7B will be described later.

[0116] [Pull-up evaluation process] Step S5B (pull-up evaluation process) in FIG. 20 will be described. The pull-up evaluation processing unit 131 calculates a pull-up evaluation value (third evaluation value) from the fluorescent color signal data generated by the color conversion processing unit 104. In the fluorescent color signal data, the signal intensity of a specific fluorescent label may overlap with the signal intensity of other fluorescent labels due to color conversion processing. The signal intensity of the main fluorescent label is designated as INT (Main). Furthermore, the signal intensity of the other overlapping (subordinate) fluorescent label is designated as INT (Sub). In this case, the pull-up evaluation value (Pullup) is expressed by the following formula (21).

[0117] Pullup=INT(Sub) / INT(Main) ··· (5)

[0118] [Fluorescence color signal data] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of fluorescent color signal data in which a pull-up occurs. The horizontal and vertical axes shown in FIG. 21 are the same as those shown in FIG. 11, and therefore their explanation will be omitted. Moreover, in Fig. 21, signal intensities 541 to 544 correspond to the signal intensities 521 to 524 shown in Fig. 11. Incidentally, in the diagram shown in Fig. 21, the main signal intensities 541 to 544 are already in a state in which variations are suppressed. In FIG. 21, the signal intensity of the second fluorescent label (signal intensity 542: signal intensity of the first fluorescent label) overlaps with the signal intensity 541a of the first fluorescent label (signal intensity of the second fluorescent label). The average signal intensity of the second fluorescent label is INT(Main)=10000. The average signal intensity of the first fluorescent label is INT(Sub)=2000. In this case, the pull-up evaluation value calculated by the formula (5) is 0.2. The pull-up evaluation processing unit 131 determines the larger of the overlapping signal intensities as the main and the smaller as the sub. In this way, the pull-up evaluation value is the ratio between the main signal intensity (first fluorescent label) and the sub signal intensity (first fluorescent label).

[0119] In step S6B of Fig. 20, the determination processor 106 makes a determination based on the fluorescent color signal evaluation value and the pull-up evaluation value. The determination is to determine whether the next process should transition to the binning area adjustment process (step SB7 of Fig. 20) or the binning pattern output process (step S8 of Fig. 20). If either the fluorescent color signal evaluation value or the pull-up evaluation value does not satisfy a predetermined criterion (S6B of Fig. 20→No: if a predetermined condition is satisfied), the determination processor 106 determines that the next process should be the binning adjustment process (step S7B of Fig. 20). If both the fluorescent color signal evaluation value and the pull-up evaluation value satisfy the predetermined criterion (S6B of Fig. 20→Yes), the next process should be the process by the binning pattern output unit 108 (step S8 of Fig. 20). The predetermined criterion is, for example, that the value is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value.

[0120] In step S7B of FIG. 20, in addition to the processing (bin adjustment) performed in step S7 of FIG. 5, the binning area adjustment processing unit 107 reduces the bin width (size of the bin 400) so as to reduce the peak signal charge integrated value in the main fluorescent label (first fluorescent label) where pull-up is occurring.

[0121] In the third embodiment, the fluorescent color signal evaluation value and the pull-up evaluation value are determined simultaneously in step S6B in Fig. 20, but they may be determined in two stages. That is, if the fluorescent color signal evaluation value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold in step S6B (S6B→Yes), the determination processing unit 106 may determine whether the pull-up evaluation value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. If the pull-up evaluation value is less than the predetermined threshold, the binning area adjustment processing unit 107 reduces the bin 400 near the peak value of the signal intensity of the main fluorescent label where pull-up has occurred. In addition, the binning area adjustment processing unit 107 enlarges the bin 400 adjacent to the reduced bin 400. Thereafter, the electrophoresis data processing device 1 returns to step S2.

[0122] On the other hand, if the pull-up evaluation value is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, step S8 is performed.

[0123] According to the third embodiment, the influence of pull-up can be suppressed.

[0124] Electrophoretic data processing device 1 may also include both color transformation matrix evaluation processing unit 121 shown in FIG. 17 and pull-up evaluation processing unit 131 shown in FIG. In this configuration, if any one of the fluorescent color signal evaluation value, color transformation matrix evaluation value, and pull-up evaluation value does not satisfy a predetermined criterion in the judgment process by the judgment processing unit 106 (corresponding to S6→No in FIG. 5), the next process transitions to a binning adjustment process (corresponding to step S7 in FIG. 5). If all of the fluorescent color signal evaluation value, color transformation matrix evaluation value, and pull-up evaluation value satisfy the predetermined criterion (corresponding to S6→Yes in FIG. 5), the next process transitions to a binning pattern output (corresponding to step S8 in FIG. 5).

[0125] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and includes various modified examples. For example, the above-described embodiment has been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and is not necessarily limited to all of the configurations described. In addition, it is possible to replace a part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. In addition, it is possible to add, delete, or replace a part of the configuration of each embodiment with another configuration.

[0126] Further, the above-mentioned configurations, functions, units 101 to 108, 121, 131, storage device 113, etc. may be realized in hardware by designing some or all of them as integrated circuits, for example. As shown in Fig. 2, the above-mentioned configurations, functions, etc. may be realized in software by a processor such as CPU 112 interpreting and executing a program that realizes each function. Information such as a program, table, file, etc. that realizes each function can be stored in a memory, a recording device such as SSD (Solid State Drive), or a recording medium such as an IC (Integrated Circuit) card, SD (Secure Digital) card, or DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), in addition to being stored in a HD (Hard Disk). In addition, in each embodiment, the control lines and information lines are those that are considered necessary for the explanation, and not all control lines and information lines in the product are necessarily shown. In reality, it can be considered that almost all components are connected to each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] 1, 1a, 1b Electrophoresis data processing device 2. Electrophoresis equipment 101 Signal charge data acquisition unit (acquisition unit) 102 Binning processing unit (bin generation unit) 103 Color transformation matrix calculation processing unit (bin value extraction unit) 104 Color conversion processing unit (signal intensity calculation unit) 105 Color signal evaluation processing unit (first evaluation value calculation unit) 106 Judgment processing unit 107 Binning area adjustment processing unit (adjustment unit) 108 Binning pattern output section 109 Input / Output Processing Section (Display Processing Section) 113 Storage device 114 Input device (input section) 115 Display device (display section) 121 Color conversion matrix evaluation processing unit (second evaluation value calculation unit) 131 Pull-up evaluation processing unit (third evaluation value calculation unit) 201 Wavelength dispersion section 202 Signal charge acquisition unit (imaging element) 203 Signal charge data output section 301 CCD pixels 400, 401-403, 411-430 bottles 501~504 Peak (Second Peak) 511~514 Spectrum (including the first peak) 521~524,541~544,541a Signal strength 531~534 Signal strength average value (value for the first peak) 600 Menu screen 601 Analysis execution button (Electrophoresis execution button) 602 Analysis sample setting button 603 Fluorescence sensitivity adjustment button 604 Maintenance button 610 Dialog screen (display for prompting processing by the bin generation unit, the signal strength calculation unit, and the adjustment unit) 620 Fluorescence sensitivity adjustment screen 621 Sample content input window 622 Set confirmation button 623 Start button Z, Za, Zb Electrophoresis System S0 Screen display processing (display processing step) S1 Acquisition of signal charge data (acquisition step) S2 Binning process (bin generation step) S3 Color transformation matrix calculation process (bin value extraction step) S4 Color conversion process (signal strength calculation step) S5 Color signal evaluation process (evaluation value calculation step) S7, S7A, S7B Binning adjustment process (adjustment step)

Claims

1. an acquisition unit provided in an electrophoresis device in which a plurality of fluorescent labels are electrophoresed together with a sample, the acquisition unit being configured to, when a plurality of image pickup elements detect signals for respective wavelength components of fluorescence from the fluorescent labels and output pixel data obtained by converting the signals into electrical signals, acquire the pixel data output from the image pickup elements from each of the image pickup elements; a bin generation unit that calculates an integrated value or a representative value of values ​​of a predetermined number of the pixel data adjacent to each other, and sets the calculated integrated value or the representative value as a bin value, thereby grouping the predetermined number of the pixel data adjacent to each other into one bin; a bin value extracting unit that extracts a set of the bin values ​​derived from the fluorescent labels for each of the fluorescent labels; a signal intensity calculation unit that calculates a signal intensity of each of the fluorescent labels based on the set of extracted bin values; a first evaluation value calculation unit that calculates a first evaluation value that is an evaluation value indicating a degree of variation in the signal intensity for each of the fluorescent labels; an adjustment unit that performs bin adjustment when the first evaluation value satisfies a predetermined condition, by reducing a size of the bin having a maximum bin value that is the largest bin value among the set of bin values ​​for the fluorescent label having the largest value related to a first peak that is a peak of signal intensity, and by increasing a size of the bin having the maximum bin value for the fluorescent label having the smallest value related to the first peak; Electrophoretic data processing device comprising:

2. the bin generation unit calculates a signal charge integrated value, which is an integrated value of values ​​of the pixel data for each bin, to calculate the bin value; The bin value extraction unit extracting second peaks corresponding to the fluorescent labels from the time series of the signal charge integrated values, extracting the signal charge integrated values ​​constituting the second peaks for each of the second peaks, and calculating a transformation matrix in which each of the extracted second peaks is a row component and the bins is a column component, and the transformation matrix has the signal charge integrated values ​​as values ​​of each component, thereby extracting a set of the bin values ​​derived from the fluorescent labels; The signal strength calculation unit The time series of the signal charge integrated values ​​is multiplied by the inverse matrix of the transformation matrix, the inverse matrix being a signal charge integration matrix, which is a matrix having the signal charge integrated values ​​as values ​​of individual components, with the number of scans of the fluorescence as row components and the bins as column components, to obtain a time series of the signal intensity of each of the fluorescent labels, and the signal intensity of each of the fluorescent labels is calculated based on the set of extracted bin values.

2. An electrophoretic data processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. a second evaluation value calculation unit that calculates a second evaluation value, which is an evaluation value regarding the calculation accuracy when calculating the signal intensity of each of the fluorescent labels, based on the transformation matrix; having The adjustment unit is When the first evaluation value and the second evaluation value satisfy a predetermined condition, in addition to the bin adjustment, the calculation accuracy is increased to be higher than the current calculation accuracy.

3. An electrophoretic data processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. a third evaluation value calculation unit that calculates a third evaluation value, which is a ratio of the signal intensity of the first fluorescent label to the signal intensity of the second fluorescent label, when the signal intensity of the first fluorescent label, which is a predetermined fluorescent label, overlaps with the signal intensity of the second fluorescent label. having The adjustment unit is If the first evaluation value and the third evaluation value satisfy a predetermined condition, in addition to the bin adjustment, a size of the bin corresponding to the maximum bin value for the first fluorescent label is reduced.

2. An electrophoretic data processing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. an acquisition unit provided in an electrophoresis device in which a plurality of fluorescent labels are electrophoresed together with a sample, the acquisition unit being configured to, when a plurality of image pickup elements detect signals for respective wavelength components of fluorescence from the fluorescent labels and output pixel data obtained by converting the signals into electrical signals, acquire the pixel data output from the image pickup elements from each of the image pickup elements; a bin generation unit that calculates an integrated value or a representative value of values ​​of a predetermined number of the pixel data adjacent to each other, and sets the calculated integrated value or the representative value as a bin value, thereby grouping the predetermined number of the pixel data adjacent to each other into one bin; a bin value extracting unit that extracts a set of the bin values ​​derived from the fluorescent labels for each of the fluorescent labels; a signal intensity calculation unit that calculates a signal intensity of each of the fluorescent labels based on the set of extracted bin values; an evaluation value calculation unit that calculates an evaluation value indicating a degree of variation in the signal intensity for each of the fluorescent labels; an adjustment unit that performs bin adjustment when the evaluation value satisfies a predetermined condition, by reducing the size of the bin having a maximum bin value that is the largest bin value among the set of bin values ​​for the fluorescent label having the largest value related to the peak of signal intensity, and by increasing the size of the bin having the maximum bin value for the fluorescent label having the smallest value related to the peak of signal intensity; a display processing unit that displays on the display unit a sensitivity adjustment execution button which is an execution button for sensitivity adjustment for each fluorescent label; having When the sensitivity adjustment execution button is selected via an input unit, the acquisition unit, the bin generation unit, the bin value extraction unit, the signal intensity calculation unit, the evaluation value calculation unit, and the adjustment unit execute processes. Electrophoretic data processing device comprising:

6. the display unit displays, in addition to the sensitivity adjustment execution button, an electrophoresis execution button that is a button for executing electrophoresis by the electrophoresis device, When the execute electrophoresis button is selected via the input unit before the processes by the bin generation unit, the signal intensity calculation unit, and the adjustment unit are performed, the display processing unit displays on the display unit a message prompting the processes by the acquisition unit, the bin generation unit, the bin value extraction unit, the signal intensity calculation unit, the evaluation value calculation unit, and the adjustment unit.

6. An electrophoretic data processing apparatus according to claim 5.

7. a display processing step of displaying a sensitivity adjustment execution button, which is an execution button for sensitivity adjustment for each fluorescent label, on a display unit; an acquisition step of selecting the sensitivity adjustment execution button via an input unit, the electrophoresis device in which a plurality of fluorescent labels are electrophoresed together with a sample, the electrophoresis device having a plurality of image pickup elements that detect signals for each wavelength component of the fluorescence from the fluorescent labels and output pixel data obtained by converting the signals into electrical signals, and acquiring the pixel data output from the image pickup elements from each of the image pickup elements; a bin generation step of calculating an integrated value or a representative value of values ​​of a predetermined number of the pixel data adjacent to each other, and setting the calculated integrated value or representative value as a bin value, thereby grouping the predetermined number of the pixel data adjacent to each other into one bin; a bin value extraction step of extracting a set of bin values ​​derived from the fluorescent labels for each of the fluorescent labels; a signal intensity calculation step of calculating a signal intensity of each of the fluorescent labels based on the set of extracted bin values; an evaluation value calculation step of calculating a first evaluation value which is an evaluation value indicating a degree of variation in the signal intensity for each of the fluorescent labels; an adjustment step of performing a bin adjustment in which, when the first evaluation value satisfies a predetermined condition, for the fluorescent label having the largest value related to the peak of the signal intensity, a size of the bin having a maximum bin value that is the largest bin value among the set of bin values ​​is reduced, and for the fluorescent label having the smallest value related to the peak of the signal intensity, a size of the bin having the maximum bin value is increased; Electrophoretic data processing method comprising:

8. The bin generating step, the bin value extracting step, the signal strength calculating step, the evaluation value calculating step, and the adjusting step are repeated until the evaluation value no longer satisfies a predetermined condition.

8. The method for processing electrophoretic data according to claim 7.

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