System for selecting antibodies and method of operation therefor

Abstract

One form of the present invention is an operation method for an antibody selection system connected so as to be able to communicate with an antibody information server. The system has a control device and a display device. The operation method includes: a first step in which the control device causes the display device to display a microscopy image of biological tissue or cells, the base sequence of a nucleic acid of the biological tissue or cells, data indicating nucleic acid features or base sequence features, and the name of one or two or more genes obtained on the basis of the data; a second step in which the control device transmits the ID of a gene selected from among the one or two or more genes to the antibody information server; a third step in which the control device receives, from the antibody information server, antibody information for a protein encoded by the selected gene; and a fourth step in which the control device causes the display device to display the antibody information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for selecting an antibody and a method for operating the same.

Background Art

[0002] When the gene causing a disease is identified, researchers confirm the expression of the protein encoded by the gene by antibody staining or immunoprecipitation and investigate the function of the gene. At this time, it is necessary to examine whether the expression of the causative gene and other genes related thereto is enhanced / reduced when compared with surrounding normal tissues. At that time,

[0003] 1) Which genes are related to the causative gene

[0004] 2) When the corresponding gene is identified, is there an antibody suitable for antibody staining or immunoprecipitation

[0005] 3) Which manufacturer's antibody is suitable

[0006] [[ID=2(]]4) Among the antibodies of the same manufacturer, which antibody should be selected

[0007] <000002(]]4) Among the antibodies of the same manufacturer, which antibody should be selected

[0007] 5) When using a certain antibody, information such as whether the staining is successful is required.

[0008] [[ID=3(]]6)] Such information is often not available only from the websites of antibody manufacturers.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a system for easily selecting an antibody and a method for operating the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] One embodiment of the present invention is a method for operating a system for selecting an antibody, which is communicably connected to an antibody information server, the system comprising a control device and a display device, the method comprising: a first step of causing the control device to display on the display device a microscopic image of a biological tissue or cell, the base sequence of a nucleic acid present in the biological tissue or cell, data indicating the characteristics of the nucleic acid or the base sequence, and the names of one or more genes obtained based on the data; a second step of the control device transmitting the ID of a gene selected from the one or more genes to the antibody information server; a third step of the control device receiving information from the antibody information server about an antibody against a protein encoded by the selected gene; and a fourth step of causing the control device to display the antibody information on the display device.

[0011] Other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments for carrying out the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a flowchart showing how to operate a system for selecting an antibody in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing the overall picture of an antibody selection system, and other related systems and external servers in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the relationship between a system for selecting antibodies and an external server in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the relationship between a system for selecting antibodies and an external server in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the relationship between a system for selecting antibodies and an external server in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the relationship between a system for selecting antibodies and an external server in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a GUI displayed on a monitor in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of a GUI displayed on a monitor in Figure 7D in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of a GUI displayed on a monitor in Figure 7D in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of a GUI displayed on a monitor in Figure 7D in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of a GUI displayed on a monitor in one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The object, features, advantages, and ideas of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description herein, and will be easily reproducible to those skilled in the art from the description herein. The embodiments and specific examples of the invention described below are examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention and are provided for illustrative or explanatory purposes only, and do not limit the present invention thereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and modifications can be made based on the description herein, within the intent and scope of the present invention as disclosed herein.

[0014] ==Main Embodiments of the Invention== [1] A method of operating a system for selecting an antibody, which is communicably connected to an antibody information server. The system has a control device and a display device. The control device causes the display device to display a microscopic image of a biological tissue or cell, the nucleotide sequence of a nucleic acid possessed by the biological tissue or cell, data indicating the characteristics of the nucleic acid or the characteristics of the nucleotide sequence, and the name of one or more genes obtained based on the data in a first step. In a second step, the control device transmits the ID of a gene selected from the one or more genes to the antibody information server. In a third step, the control device receives information on an antibody against the protein encoded by the selected gene from the antibody information server. In a fourth step, the control device causes the display device to display the antibody information. The operating method includes these steps.

[0015] [2] The operating method according to item [1], wherein the one or more genes include a first gene obtained based on the data and one or more second genes related to the first gene.

[0016] [3] The operating method according to item [1] or [2], further including a fifth step in which the control device orders the antibody or its production through the Internet or the antibody information server to which the system is communicably connected.

[0017] [4] The operating method according to item [3], further including a sixth step in which the control device causes the display device to display an image of a biological tissue or cell stained using the antibody ordered in the fifth step and delivered to the orderer.

[0018] [5] The operating method according to item [3] or [4], further including a seventh step in which the control device transmits an image of a biological tissue or cell stained using the antibody ordered in the fifth step and delivered to the orderer to the antibody information server.

[0019] [6] The antibody information server has a storage device that stores a list of information on one or more antibodies against proteins encoded by a plurality of genes. The antibody information server receives the ID of the selected gene, identifies the selected gene in the list stored in the storage device, and transmits the information on the antibody linked to the selected gene to the system. The operation method according to any one of items [1] to [5].

[0020] [7] The operation method according to any one of items [1] to [6], wherein the first step includes a sub-step in which the control device receives the microscopic image through the Internet.

[0021] [8] The system further has a microscope device, and the operation method according to any one of items [1] to [6], wherein the first step includes a sub-step in which the control device receives the microscopic image from the microscope device.

[0022] [9] The operation method according to any one of items [1] to [8], wherein the first step includes a sub-step in which the control device receives the base sequence of the nucleic acid through the Internet.

[0023]

[10] The system further has a base sequence analysis device, and the operation method according to any one of items [1] to [9], wherein the first step includes a sub-step in which the control device receives the base sequence of the nucleic acid from the base sequence analysis device.

[0024]

[11] The system further has a base sequence analysis device, and the first step includes a sub-step in which the control device receives the base sequence of the nucleic acid from the base sequence analysis device, and the base sequence of the nucleic acid is the base sequence of the nucleic acid extracted from the biological tissue or cell. The operation method according to items [1] to [6], [8], [9].

[0025]

[12] The operating method according to any one of the items [1] to

[11] , wherein the first step includes a substep in which the control device receives data indicating the characteristics of the nucleic acid or the characteristics of the base sequence of the nucleic acid via the Internet.

[0026]

[13] The operating method according to any one of the items [1] to

[12] , wherein the system further comprises a gene analyzer, and the first step is a substep of the gene analyzer analyzing the base sequence of the nucleic acid to obtain data indicating the characteristics of the nucleic acid or the base sequence, and the control device receiving the data indicating the characteristics of the nucleic acid or the base sequence from the gene analyzer.

[0027]

[14] The operating method according to any one of the items [1] to

[13] , wherein the fourth step includes a substep in which the control device causes the display device to show the suitability of the antibody.

[0028]

[15] The operating method described in item

[14] , wherein the degree of suitability is the degree of fit.

[16] The operating method according to any one of items [1] to

[13] , wherein the fourth step includes a substep in which the control device displays on the display device the antibodies whose suitability meets predetermined conditions, based on both the antibody information received in the third step and the antibody information obtained via the Internet.

[0029]

[17] The operating method according to any one of items [1] to

[16] , wherein the characteristics of the nucleic acid or the characteristics of the base sequence are a mutation in the base sequence, a modification pattern of the nucleic acid, a higher-order structure of the nucleic acid, or the binding state of the nucleic acid to a protein.

[0030]

[18] The method of operation according to any one of the items [1] to

[17] , wherein the information of the antibody against the selected gene includes an image of a biological tissue or cell stained with the antibody.

[0031]

[19] A program for selecting an antibody, which causes the system to perform the method described in any one of items [1] to

[18] .

[0032] A storage medium containing the program described in item

[20]

[19] in a manner readable by a computer.

[0033]

[21] A system for selecting an antibody that is communicably connected to the Internet and communicably connected to an antibody information server, the system comprising a control device and a display device, the control device causing the display device to display a microscopic image of a biological tissue or cell, the base sequence of a nucleic acid present in the biological tissue or cell, data indicating the characteristics of the nucleic acid or the base sequence, and the names of one or more genes obtained based on the data, the control device transmitting the ID of a gene selected from the one or more genes to the antibody information server, the control device receiving information of an antibody against a protein encoded by the selected gene from the antibody information server, and the control device causing the display device to display the antibody information.

[0034]

[22] A system for ordering the manufacture of an antibody or the antibody which is connected to the Internet and communicates with an antibody information server, wherein the system comprises a control device and a display device, the control device causes the display device to display a microscopic image of a biological tissue or cell, the base sequence of a nucleic acid present in the biological tissue or cell, data indicating the characteristics of the nucleic acid or the base sequence, and the names of one or more genes obtained based on the data, the control device transmits the ID of a gene selected from the one or more genes to the antibody information server, the control device receives information of an antibody against a protein encoded by the selected gene from the antibody information server, the control device causes the display device to display the antibody information, and the control device orders the manufacture of the antibody or the antibody via the Internet or the antibody information server.

[0035] ==System for selecting antibodies and its operating method== A method of operating an antibody selection system (hereinafter referred to herein as the antibody selection system or simply the system), which is communicatively connected to an antibody information server and includes a control device and a display device, comprises: a first step of causing the control device to display on the display device a microscopic image of a biological tissue or cell, the base sequence of the nucleic acid of the biological tissue or cell, data indicating the characteristics of the nucleic acid or base sequence, and the names of one or more genes obtained based on the data; a second step of the control device transmitting the ID of the gene selected from the one or more genes to the antibody information server; a third step of the control device receiving information from the antibody information server about an antibody against the protein encoded by the selected gene; and a fourth step of causing the control device to display the antibody information on the display device. Typically, the control device is a CPU and the display device is a monitor.

[0036] The following describes each step in detail, referring to Figure 1.

[0037] <First step> First, the control device causes the display device to display a microscopic image of a biological tissue or cell, the base sequence of the nucleic acid contained in the biological tissue or cell, data indicating the characteristics of the nucleic acid or base sequence, and the names of one or more genes obtained based on that data (102).

[0038] Microscopic images of biological tissues or cells are not particularly limited and may include phase-contrast images showing cell morphology, bright-field images of stained cells such as HE staining, or fluorescence images of antibody-stained cells. The state of the biological tissue or cells is also not particularly limited and may include tissue cultures or cell cultures, or tissue sections such as frozen sections or paraffin sections.

[0039] Microscope images may be received by the control device via the internet, or they may be received from a microscope if the system has a microscope device. In the latter case, the user prepares biological tissue or cells, observes them under a microscope, and transmits the images captured using a CCD camera or similar device to the control device.

[0040] The nucleic acids contained in biological tissue or cells are those contained in at least some of the cells in the biological tissue or cells in the microscopic image, and only need to originate from cells of the same species as the cells in the image. These nucleic acids may be extracted from the cells in the image themselves, or from cells of the same species as the cells in the image but from a different cell. The nucleic acids may be DNA or RNA.

[0041] The base sequence of this nucleic acid may be the entire base sequence of the nucleic acid or a desired portion of the base sequence. This base sequence may be obtained by the control device via the internet, or the system may have a base sequence analyzer that analyzes the base sequence of the target nucleic acid and transmits it to the control device. The nucleic acid to be analyzed by the base sequence analyzer may be extracted from at least some of the cells of the biological tissue or cells used to create the microscopic image, or it may be extracted from cells of the same species as the cells in the image but different cells. In addition, the control device of this system may utilize base sequences obtained and stored by another device or system from the internet or a base sequence analyzer.

[0042] In this specification, "same species" means the same cell type, and this nucleic acid may be obtained from the same tissue of the same individual as the biological tissue or cells used to prepare the microscopic image, from the same tissue of different individuals of the same species, from the same tissue of different species, or from homologous tissue of different species.

[0043] Data that describes the characteristics of nucleic acids or base sequences includes, for example, raw data, analytical data, or data that shows the physical and chemical characteristics of nucleic acids or their base sequences, such as base sequence mutations (deletions, substitutions, insertions, or SNPs), nucleic acid modification patterns (e.g., frequency and pattern of cytosine methylation), higher-order structures of nucleic acids (e.g., hairpin structures), and binding states to proteins (e.g., histone binding amounts).

[0044] Data describing the characteristics of nucleic acids or their base sequences may be obtained via the internet through searches based on the base sequences of nucleic acids. Alternatively, the system may also have a gene analysis device that analyzes the structure of nucleic acids, the base sequences of nucleic acids, and the interactions between nucleic acids and proteins to obtain data describing the characteristics of nucleic acids or their base sequences. Furthermore, the control device of this system may utilize data obtained and stored by another device or system from the internet or a base sequence analysis device.

[0045] One or more genes obtained based on data indicating nucleic acid characteristics or base sequence characteristics mean genes that are directly or indirectly related to the nucleic acid characteristics or base sequence characteristics. For example, a directly related gene means a gene that partially or completely contains the sequence having those characteristics. An indirectly related gene means a gene that is related to a directly related gene, such as a gene whose expression is regulated by the directly related gene, a gene that is genetically upstream or downstream of the directly related gene, a gene that codes for a protein that is upstream or downstream of the protein coded by the directly related gene in a signaling pathway, or a gene that codes for a protein that binds to the sequence having those characteristics. Here, a gene means a coding region and its expression regulatory region. The expression regulatory region may be upstream or downstream of the coding region. Furthermore, a gene name means a notation that can indicate and identify an individual gene, a part of it, or a set of several genes, and may be represented by an ID such as a code or number. In addition, there may be cases where a gene cannot be obtained and is not displayed based on data indicating nucleic acid characteristics or base sequence characteristics.

[0046] Furthermore, the base sequence analyzer and gene analyzer may be connected to the control unit via the internet or directly via a LAN, etc. The base sequence analyzer and gene analyzer may also be installed in an analysis facility independent of this system.

[0047] <Second step> Next, the user selects one or more genes from which they wish to obtain antibodies for the encoded proteins, based on the data showing nucleic acid characteristics or base sequence characteristics obtained in the first step. The control device transmits the IDs of the selected genes to the antibody information server, which receives the IDs (104).

[0048] The antibody information server and the system may be connected via the internet or directly via a LAN.

[0049] The antibody information server preferably has a storage device, which may store one or more antibodies against proteins encoded by various genes, and a list of their information. This information includes the epitope recognized by the antibody, sample images such as biological tissue or cells stained with the antibody, the manufacturer of the antibody, the characteristics of the antibody (monoclonal or polyclonal, the animal species from which it was created, the bound fluorescent dye, suitable applications, etc.), and literature describing experiments using the antibody (e.g., patent documents, academic papers, etc.).

[0050] <Third step> Next, the antibody information server identifies the gene corresponding to the gene ID received in the second step, selects the antibody information associated with that gene from the list (106), and sends it to the system as antibody information (108). If there is no antibody associated with the gene corresponding to the gene ID received in the second step, it sends information to the system indicating that no antibody for that gene is listed. The system's control unit thus receives information from the antibody information server about the antibody against the protein encoded by the selected gene.

[0051] <Fourth step> The control device causes the display device to display the gene name associated with the ID sent to the antibody information server and the antibody information received from the antibody information server (110). If there is no antibody associated with the gene corresponding to the gene ID received in the second step, the device may display "No antibody found" or similar. Alternatively, if there is no specific information about the antibody, the device may display "(Specific information) not found" or similar.

[0052] <Step 5> The antibody information obtained by the control device from the antibody information server includes whether or not the antibody exists, and if so, the antibody's distributor and characteristics. If multiple antibodies exist, the user can select the antibody suitable for their application based on its properties. The user can then use the control device to order the selected antibody from the company that sells it, via the internet or the antibody information server to which the system is connected (112). If the antibody does not exist, the user can order the production of an antibody against the desired gene from an antibody manufacturing company.

[0053] The evaluation of antibodies for selecting antibodies, or the selection of antibodies based on that evaluation, may be automated.

[0054] For example, the control device may score the suitability of antibody information obtained from the antibody information server, including matching usage conditions, feedback on past purchase history, feedback from purchasers, past purchase frequency, and literature information, and display the products on the display device in descending order of score, along with their scores. Alternatively, a threshold for suitability may be set for the score, and recommendations may be displayed for one or more antibodies that exceed the threshold. Here, suitability refers to the degree to which a person skilled in the art can judge that the antibody is suitable in all aspects. For example, suitability may be expressed as a degree of compatibility that indicates how well the antibody matches the user's requirements. In this case, the user may input elements such as the purpose and use of the antibody, and the control device may evaluate how well each antibody fits those elements. Alternatively, the user may input the importance of each piece of information to the user's intended use, and the control device may evaluate the antibodies by considering the importance as a weight. In these cases, since past purchase frequency is a particularly effective evaluation for selecting a suitable antibody, evaluations may be performed using other elements, and after selecting multiple antibodies with scores higher than the threshold, the suitability may be evaluated in order of past purchase frequency. This method allows users to select the antibody they deem best suited to their purpose. Alternatively, the control device may automatically select and present to the user the antibody with the highest suitability score. In this case as well, the device may select not only the score but also the antibody with the highest past purchase frequency from among antibodies with scores above a threshold.

[0055] The literature information refers to literature in which the antibody is used, preferably literature containing stained images thereof. For example, if the literature is a research paper, it may include the impact factor of the journal in which it was published and the number of citations of the paper. Here, the literature in which the antibody is used and the literature containing stained images thereof may be analyzed using AI.

[0056] Alternatively, the quality of the antibody can be scored using AI on photographs in which the antibody is used. For example, stained images with high and low backgrounds can be used as training data to obtain a score that evaluates the degree of background in the stained images obtained in the manner described above.

[0057] The evaluation of antibodies for selection may be based not only on antibody information obtained by the control device from an antibody information server, but also on antibody information obtained via the internet. For example, in the case of literature information, stained images can be obtained from company websites or personal social media sites.

[0058] <Step 6> On the other hand, the user can stain biological tissues or cells using the antibodies obtained through ordering. The control device can then display an image of the thus stained biological tissue or cells on the display device.

[0059] By using this system, it becomes possible to easily purchase antibodies against proteins encoded by genes related to nucleic acids, based on their characteristics and base sequences, and to easily examine the expression of those genes.

[0060] <Step 7> The control device may send images of biological tissue or cells stained using antibodies ordered in step 5 and delivered to the customer in step 6 as feedback to the antibody information server. This allows other users connected to the antibody information server to share these results as reference data.

[0061] <Step 8> At some point during steps 2 through 7, the user can select a different gene from the one or more genes obtained in step 1 based on data indicating nucleic acid characteristics or base sequence characteristics, which were selected in step 2. In this case, for the newly selected gene, the process should be repeated from step 2, starting with the control device transmitting the ID of the newly selected gene to the antibody information server, up to step 7.

[0062] <Step 9> At some point during steps 5 through 7, it is possible to select a different antibody from the one displayed in step 4 than the one selected in step 5. In that case, the process from ordering in step 5 to step 7 should be repeated for the newly selected antibody.

[0063] ==Programs and Storage Media== One embodiment disclosed herein is a program for selecting an antibody, which causes a system to perform any of the methods described above. Another embodiment of the present invention is a storage medium in which this program is stored in a computer-readable manner.

[0064] ==Relationship between the system for selecting antibodies and the external server== The relationship between the system disclosed herein and external servers will be described in detail below, with reference to Figures 2-6. Here, an external server is a server that is connected to the antibody management system and / or antibody selection system via the Internet and has functions related to said system. External servers include publicly available servers that can be used free of charge or for a fee, and examples include gene banks and protein banks such as EMBL, and paper search engines such as PubMed.

[0065] (1) The system for selecting antibodies, and the overall picture including other systems and external servers related to that system.

[0066] First, we will explain the overall picture of the antibody selection system, as well as other related systems and external servers, with reference to Figure 2.

[0067] A user wishing to order antibodies has an antibody selection system 300 disclosed herein. This antibody selection system 300 is connected to an antibody management system 302 via the Internet. This antibody management system 302 is connected via LAN or the Internet to a system 304 that manages antibody information at antibody manufacturing companies and / or antibody sales companies, and manages information on antibodies manufactured and / or sold by these companies (e.g., antibody details and inventory levels at each company). The antibody selection system 300 is also connected via the Internet to a reference genome data storage server 306, thereby allowing the user to obtain various genome information.

[0068] (2) Basic configuration of the antibody selection system Figures 3 to 6 show specific examples of antibody selection system configurations.

[0069] First, let's explain the basic structure common to all of them.

[0070] The antibody selection system 300 disclosed herein includes an analysis / ordering computer 314 (hereinafter referred to as "computer") which is a control device and a monitor 316 which is a display device. The system may also include a microscope 318. Furthermore, it may include a base sequence analyzer 320, a gene analyzer 320, and an image information storage device 322, which may be an integrated device or separate devices. The image information storage device 322 is a device that stores images obtained by the microscope 318 or images obtained from the internet, and may be memory such as an external hard disk, a separate computer, or built-in memory provided in the analysis / ordering computer 314. In the figure, the base sequence analyzer 320 and the gene analyzer 320 are configured as an integrated device, and the image information storage device 322 is provided as a separate device. In addition, these may be directly connected to the system central unit having the analysis / ordering computer 314 via LAN, or they may be independent as analysis equipment and connected to the system central unit via the internet, but in this configuration, they are directly connected via LAN.

[0071] Independent of the antibody selection system 300, an antibody management system 302 is provided. The antibody management system 302 may include an antibody manufacturing management system 324, an antibody count management system 326, and an antibody ordering system 328, and may be owned by an antibody sales company alone or jointly, or by an antibody management company. The antibody manufacturing management system 324 manages the manufacturing of antibodies sold by the company. For example, if the number of a particular antibody decreases in the antibody count management system 326, the antibody manufacturing management system 324 is informed of the name of the antibody and the number of remaining antibodies, and the antibody manufacturing management system 324 requests the company 304 or the antibody manufacturing system owned by company 304 to start manufacturing that antibody. When company 304 manufactures the antibody and inputs this to the antibody count management system 326, the antibody count management system 326 updates the number of antibodies manufactured. The antibody ordering system 328 receives an order for antibodies or antibody manufacturing from user 312, and company 304 either sells the antibody to user 312 according to the order, or manufactures the antibody according to user 312's request. In the diagram, communication with the user is handled exclusively by the antibody ordering system 328, but the antibody manufacturing management system 324 and the antibody count management system 326 may also be configured to communicate with the user 312. In addition to these systems, the antibody selection system 300 may be connected to public servers 306 such as gene banks, antibody banks, reference genome data holding WW servers, and literature search engines via the internet.

[0072] Furthermore, a literature analysis unit may be provided in the antibody selection system or antibody management system. The literature analysis unit may be located anywhere in the antibody selection system or antibody management system, but it is preferably located in the antibody information server or the analysis / ordering computer. The literature analysis unit is connected to literature databases such as literature search engines outside the antibody selection system or the servers of literature publishers, and searches for literature published on the internet to collect literature that uses a given antibody, preferably literature that contains staining images of that antibody. The unit then scores the antibody based on the impact factor of the journal in which the papers are published and the number of citations of those papers, and provides this score to the user along with the antibody information.

[0073] The following shows several system configuration examples that differ depending on the location of the antibody information server 330.

[0074] (1) If the antibody information server 330 is in the antibody management system 302 In Figure 3, the antibody selection system 300 and the antibody information server 330 are connected via the Internet. The antibody information server 330 and the antibody ordering system 328 are connected via a LAN.

[0075] The antibody management system 302 can connect to the systems of each antibody sales company 304, thereby obtaining information and centralizing information management.

[0076] In this case, the antibody information server 330 can be connected to multiple antibody selection systems 300, thereby enabling connection to multiple users. Therefore, the accumulation of information through feedback and other means becomes easier in the antibody information server 330. The antibody management system may also be located on a so-called cloud platform.

[0077] (2) When the antibody information server 330 is connected to the antibody selection system 300 via LAN

[0078] In Figure 4, the antibody selection system 300 and the antibody information server 330 are connected via a LAN. The antibody information server 330 and the antibody ordering system 328 are connected via the Internet.

[0079] In this case, the antibody information server 330 connects to the systems of each antibody sales company 304 via the internet and collects information.

[0080] Each user 312 has an antibody information server 330 that connects to the antibody ordering system 328 and can order the necessary antibodies or the manufacture of antibodies.

[0081] (3) When the antibody information server 330 is located within the antibody ordering system 328 In Figure 5, the antibody information server 330 is located within the antibody ordering system 328. While this essentially has the same effect as (1), the presence of the antibody information server 330 within the antibody ordering system 328 allows for faster updates of antibody information in the antibody information server 330.

[0082] (4) When there are multiple antibody information servers 330, and they are connected to the antibody selection system 300 via LAN and to the antibody management system 302 via the Internet.

[0083] In (2), since the antibody management system 302 does not have an antibody information server 330, it was not easy to receive feedback from users even when the antibody management system 302 was connected to multiple users. In the configuration shown in Figure 6, the antibody information server A330 is connected to the antibody selection system via LAN, and the antibody information server B330 is present in the antibody management system 302. As a result, users can freely manage antibody information using antibody information server A, and antibody information server B can connect to multiple users 312, thereby accumulating feedback from users 312.

[0084] In this case, it is preferable that both antibody information server A330 and antibody information server B330 have a storage device that stores a list of information on one or more antibodies against proteins encoded by multiple genes. Antibody information server B330 creates the list by obtaining information from company 304. On the other hand, antibody information server A330 may create the list by obtaining information from company, but it is preferable to create the list by obtaining information from antibody information server B330.

[0085] ==GUI== Figure 7 shows an example of a GUI for monitoring an antibody selection system. Figure 7 illustrates the analysis of methylation in the base sequence of DNA extracted from a specific region in a microscopic image of a biological tissue or cell. This system is computer-controlled.

[0086] Figure 7B shows a microscopic image of a biological tissue or cell. In this example, a bright-field image of an HE-stained mouse embryo tissue section, acquired by the user using microscope 318, is shown.

[0087] The user collects cells from each region (ROI1~n) of the tissue section, isolates genomic DNA from the collected cells, and determines the base sequence using a sequencer (nucleotide sequence analyzer / gene analyzer 320). The base sequence data for the specified chromosomal region, and the resulting predicted amino acid sequence, are then displayed on a monitor (Figure 7E).

[0088] Simultaneously, cytosine methylation in regions displayed on the monitor as gene rulers (Figure 7F upper) of DNA obtained from cells in different ROIs is analyzed, the results are computer-analyzed to calculate methylation scores, and these scores are displayed on the monitor as graphs (Figure 7F lower).

[0089] In calculating the methylation score, for example, the methylation frequency, i.e., the proportion of a specific type of base detected as a methylated base at a specific location or region on the genome, or the methylation amount, i.e., the number of methylations detected at a specific location or region on the genome, may be converted into a score. Alternatively, the rate of methylation or the change in the amount of methylation may be converted into a score.

[0090] A score for nucleic acid methylation is determined for each ROI within a specific genomic DNA region, and the ROIs are sorted in descending order of the scores (Figure 7A). Simultaneously, the methylation scores may be reflected and visualized on the image. For example, the corresponding ROIs can be color-coded according to their methylation scores and displayed as a heatmap overlaid on a bright-field image of a HE-stained mouse embryo tissue section (Figure 7B). Here, for example, the user selects ROI1, which has the highest score.

[0091] At the top of Figure 7F, along the gene ruler, the names and IDs of genes located within the described DNA region, their base sequences, genes in their vicinity, genes downstream of that gene, and genes encoding proteins that bind to that base sequence may be indicated at the relevant base sequence locations.

[0092] When a user selects a gene of interest from among these genes and clicks on the gene name, a list of commercially available antibodies sent from the antibody information server, linked to the gene name, will be displayed at the location shown in Figure 7D, as shown in Figure 8. Subsequently, if the user selects another gene, the antibody list for the newly selected gene will be displayed in the same manner.

[0093] Figure 8 provides information for each antibody, including the antibody manufacturer, antibody clonality, immunizing animal species, and information on fluorescence and enzymatic modifications. All or part of these lists may be displayed in a dropdown menu.

[0094] When a user clicks on a column of antibodies they are interested in in List D1 of Figure 8, details about that antibody are displayed, as shown in List D11 of Figure 9 and List D12 of Figure 10.

[0095] Furthermore, when a user clicks on an antibody manufacturer of interest (for example, Company A) in List D2 of Figure 8, a list of antibodies produced by the same antibody manufacturer (in this case, Company A) is displayed, as shown in List D21 of Figure 9. When a user clicks on an antibody of interest (for example, a mouse-derived monoclonal antibody) in List D21 of Figure 9, the list in D11 of Figure 9 displays details of the clicked antibody.

[0096] Next, when the user clicks on an immunization animal species of interest (e.g., rat) in list D3 of Figure 8, a list of antibodies produced from the same immunization animal species (in this case, rat) is displayed, as shown in list D31 of Figure 10. When the user clicks on an antibody of interest (e.g., an antibody from manufacturer C) in list D31 of Figure 10, the list in Figure 10D12 displays details of the clicked antibody.

[0097] In this embodiment, antibody manufacturers or immunizing animal species were used as examples, but antibodies may be classified by experimental use (e.g., tissue staining, immunoprecipitation, Western blotting, etc.), antibody type (e.g., IgM, IgG, etc.), modifying substances (e.g., fluorescent dyes, enzymes, etc.), etc., and these may be used as indicators to create sublists of antibodies such as List D21 and List D31. Alternatively, sublists with two indicators may be created by extracting those with a second indicator from the sublist created with the first indicator and creating further sublists.

[0098] In this way, when you select an antibody of interest from the antibody list and click on it, detailed information about that antibody is sent from the antibody information server and shown in Figure 7D. At the same time, if a stained image of that antibody is included in the antibody information, it will be displayed in Figure 7C. If a stained image of that antibody is not included in the information, a message such as "No stained sample image of the selected antibody is available" may be displayed, as shown in Figure 11.

[0099] Furthermore, if the user selects a different antibody from the antibody list, detailed information about the newly selected antibody will be displayed in the same way.

[0100] Next, if a user finds an antibody they wish to purchase or request a sample of from the list of commercially available antibodies, they can order the antibody or request a sample by clicking the "Order / Request Sample" icon displayed in Figure 7D. Simultaneously, Figure 7G shows a list of reagents useful when using that antibody (such as secondary antibodies and enzyme substrates), and the user can use this information for actual testing. [Industrial applicability]

[0101] The object of this invention is to provide a system for easily selecting antibodies and a method for operating the same. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0102] 300: Antibody Selection System 302: Antibody Management System 304:Company 306: Public Server 312: User 314: Computer for analysis / ordering 316: Monitor 318: Microscope equipment 320: Gene analysis device 322: Image information retention device 324: Antibody Manufacturing Management System 326: Antibody count management system 328: Antibody ordering system 330: Antibody Information Server

Claims

1. A method for operating a system for selecting antibodies, which is connected to an antibody information server in a communicative manner, The system includes a control device and a display device. The control device, the display device, Microscopic images of biological tissues or cells, The base sequence of nucleic acids possessed by the aforementioned biological tissue or cell, Data showing the characteristics of the nucleic acid or the base sequence, Based on the aforementioned data, the names of one or more genes, The first step is to display the following, The control device performs a second step of transmitting the ID of the gene selected from the one or two or more genes to the antibody information server, The control device performs a third step of receiving information from the antibody information server about an antibody against the protein encoded by the selected gene, The control device performs a fourth step of causing the display device to display the antibody information, A method of operation including the following.

2. The operating method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more genes include a first gene obtained based on the data and one or more second genes related to the first gene.

3. The operating method according to claim 1, further comprising a fifth step of the control device ordering the production of the antibody or the antibody via the Internet or the antibody information server to which the system is communicably connected.

4. The control device, the display device, The operating method according to claim 3, further comprising a sixth step of displaying an image of a biological tissue or cells stained using an antibody ordered in a fifth step and delivered to the customer.

5. The operating method according to claim 3, further comprising a seventh step in which the control device transmits an image of a biological tissue or cells stained using an antibody ordered in the fifth step and delivered to the orderer to the antibody information server.

6. The antibody information server has a storage device that stores a list of information on one or more antibodies against proteins encoded by multiple genes. The operating method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the antibody information server receives the ID of the selected gene, identifies the selected gene in the list stored in the storage device, and transmits the antibody information associated with the selected gene to the system.

7. The first step is, The operating method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, further comprising the substep of the control device receiving the microscope image via the Internet.

8. The aforementioned system further includes a microscope device, The first step is, Substep of receiving the microscope image from the microscope device The operating method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, including the method described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

9. The first step is, Substep of the control device receiving the nucleic acid base sequence via the Internet The operating method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, including the method described in any one of claims 3 to 5.

10. The aforementioned system further includes a base sequence analyzer, The first step is, The control device receives the nucleic acid base sequence from the base sequence analyzer (substep). The operating method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, including the method described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

11. The aforementioned system further includes a base sequence analyzer, The first step is, The control device receives the nucleic acid base sequence from the base sequence analyzer (substep). Includes, The operating method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the base sequence of the nucleic acid is the base sequence of nucleic acid extracted from the biological tissue or cell.

12. The first step is, Substep: The control device receives data indicating the characteristics of the nucleic acid or the base sequence of the nucleic acid via the Internet. The operating method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, including the method described in any one of claims 3 to 5.

13. The system further includes a gene analysis device, The first step is, A substep in which the gene analysis device analyzes the base sequence of the nucleic acid to obtain data indicating the characteristics of the nucleic acid or the characteristics of the base sequence, The control device includes a substep of receiving data from the gene analysis device that indicates the characteristics of the nucleic acid or the base sequence, The operating method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, including the method described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

14. The fourth step is, The control device causes the display device to show the suitability of the antibody. The operating method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, including the method described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

15. The operating method according to claim 14, wherein the degree of suitability is the degree of fit.

16. The fourth step is, A substep in which the control device displays on the display device the antibodies whose suitability meets predetermined conditions, based on both the antibody information received in the third step and the antibody information obtained via the Internet. The operating method according to claim 14, including the method described in claim 14.

17. The operating method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the characteristics of the nucleic acid or the characteristics of the base sequence are mutations in the base sequence, modification patterns of the nucleic acid, higher-order structures of the nucleic acid, and binding states of the nucleic acid to proteins.

18. The operating method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the information of an antibody against the protein encoded by the selected gene includes an image of a biological tissue or cell stained with the antibody.

19. A program for selecting an antibody, wherein the program causes the system to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

20. A storage medium storing the program described in claim 19 in a way that allows it to be read by a computer.

21. A system for selecting antibodies that are connected to the internet and are connected to an antibody information server in a communicative manner, The system includes a control device and a display device. The control device, the display device, Microscopic images of biological tissues or cells, The base sequence of nucleic acids possessed by the aforementioned biological tissue or cell, Data showing the characteristics of the nucleic acid or the base sequence, Based on the aforementioned data, the names of one or more genes, Display and The control device is The ID of the gene selected from the one or two or more genes is transmitted to the antibody information server. The control device receives information from the antibody information server regarding the antibody against the protein encoded by the selected gene. The control device, the display device, To display information about the aforementioned antibody, system.

22. A system for ordering the manufacture of antibodies or antibodies that are connected to the Internet and communicate with an antibody information server, The system includes a control device and a display device. The control device, the display device, Microscopic images of biological tissues or cells, The base sequence of nucleic acids possessed by the aforementioned biological tissue or cell, Data showing the characteristics of the nucleic acid or the base sequence, Based on the aforementioned data, the names of one or more genes, Display and The control device is The ID of the gene selected from the one or two or more genes is transmitted to the antibody information server. The control device receives information from the antibody information server regarding the antibody against the protein encoded by the selected gene. The control device, the display device, Display the information of the aforementioned antibody, The control device is Orders for the manufacture of the antibody or the antibody are placed through the aforementioned internet or the antibody information server. system.

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