Analysis device and display method

Abstract

To easily recognize the size of a component corresponding to a band in a gel image, in analysis of electrophoresis data.SOLUTION: There is provided an analysis device 1 for analyzing one or more data obtained by electrophoretic separation for a sample, which comprises a memory 11, a display 13, and a processor 10. The memory 11 stores the data. The display unit 13 displays a gel image, an electropherogram, a first size guide G1 corresponding to the gel image, and a second size guide G2 corresponding to the electropherogram, based on the data. When the first size guide G1 is in a first position corresponding to a specific value associated with the size in the gel image, the processor 10 displays the second size guide G2 in a second position corresponding to the specific value in the electropherogram.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an analysis device and a display method, and more particularly to an analysis device and a display method for electrophoresis data.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, software for analyzing and displaying electrophoresis data displays the detected data in forms such as a gel image, an electropherogram, and a peak list.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-20725 (Patent Document 1) discloses an example of a data analysis device for a sample separated by electrophoresis that displays the detected data in the form of an electropherogram and a gel image.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] A gel image includes bands corresponding to components in a sample fractionated by electrophoresis. Usually, a user analyzes what components were included in the sample based on the size of these bands. However, the bands on the gel image have a width in the electrophoresis direction, and it may be difficult to determine which position within the width corresponds to the actual size of the component. In this case, it may be difficult to obtain the size of the component corresponding to the band on the gel image.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to easily recognize the size of a component corresponding to a band on a gel image in the analysis of electrophoresis data. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A first aspect of this disclosure is an analytical apparatus for analyzing one or more data obtained by electrophoretic separation of a sample, comprising a memory, a display unit, and a processor. The memory stores the data. The display unit displays a gel image, an electropherogram, a first size guide corresponding to the gel image, and a second size guide corresponding to the electropherogram, based on the data. The processor displays the second size guide at a second position corresponding to a specific value in the electropherogram when the first size guide is at a first position corresponding to a specific value related to size in the gel image.

[0008] A second aspect of the present disclosure is a method for displaying one or more data obtained by electrophoretic separation of a sample, comprising the steps of: displaying a gel image and an electroferrogram based on the data; receiving a user instruction to move a first size guide, which is movable in relation to an axis indicating a value corresponding to a size-related value, to a first position in the gel image; calculating a specific size-related value corresponding to the first position; calculating a second position corresponding to the specific value in the electroferrogram; and displaying a second size guide at the second position in the electroferrogram. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the analytical apparatus described herein, the size of components corresponding to bands in a gel image can be easily recognized during the analysis of electrophoretic data. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This figure shows the overall configuration of the analysis system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a diagram to explain the band width on the gel image. [Figure 3]This figure shows an example of the analysis screen according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the analysis screen related to the comparative example. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of an analysis screen according to an embodiment, where the analysis results of a large number of samples are included. [Figure 6] This is an example of an analysis screen according to an embodiment that includes multiple components with small size differences. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart showing the display process of the analysis device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0012] [1. Configuration of the analysis system] Figure 1 shows the overall configuration of the analysis system. As shown in Figure 1, the analysis system 100 includes an analysis device 1 and an electrophoresis device 2.

[0013] The electrophoresis device 2 is a device for separating the components contained in a sample according to their chain lengths by applying a direct current electric field to a specific support (membrane, gel, etc.) after placing the sample on the support. In one embodiment, the electrophoresis device 2 automatically and continuously analyzes one or more samples placed on a plate 21 in which wells are formed in a matrix. Specifically, for example, a user places one or more samples on the plate 21. The electrophoresis device 2 introduces the sample from the plate 21 into a fine analysis flow path. A fluorescent dye is contained in the analysis flow path, and the sample is stained with the fluorescent dye while migrating in the analysis flow path. The electrophoresis device 2 applies a voltage to the analysis flow path to separate the sample into components. Then, the electrophoresis device 2 irradiates the analysis flow path with ultraviolet light and detects the fluorescence generated from the separated components. The electrophoresis device 2 obtains separation data indicating the relationship between the fluorescence signal intensity and the migration distance in the analysis flow path. Note that the migration distance generally correlates with the size (molecular weight) of the sample.

[0014] In one embodiment, the sample contains deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) as a component, and the electrophoresis device 2 separates the DNA according to the number of base pairs (bp), which is its size. However, the components of the sample are not limited to the above example, and any component that can be separated by electrophoresis may be used, for example, ribonucleic acid (RNA) or protein.

[0015] In one embodiment, the electrophoresis device 2 has four analysis flow paths and can perform electrophoresis on four samples at a time.

[0016] The analysis device 1 obtains one or more separation data obtained by electrophoresis from the electrophoresis device 2 and performs data analysis processing. The separation data corresponds to one embodiment of the "data" in the present disclosure.

[0017] The analysis device 1 includes a processor 10, a memory 11, an input unit 12, and a display unit 13.

[0018] The processor 10 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 10 expands and executes a program stored in the memory 11 in a RAM or the like.

[0019] The memory 11 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a non-volatile memory. The program stored in the ROM is a program in which the processing procedure of the analysis device 1 is described. The non-volatile memory stores the separation data sent from the electrophoresis device 2 as a data file. Note that the memory 11 may include a hard disk device instead of or in addition to the non-volatile memory.

[0020] The input unit 12 is a unit for inputting a user's instruction to the analysis device 1. For example, the input unit 12 includes a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse.

[0021] The display unit 13 includes a liquid crystal display or the like. The analysis device 1 generates display data according to a program in which the processing procedure is described and causes the display unit 13 to display it. This control is not limited to software processing, and it is also possible to process it with dedicated hardware (electronic circuit).

[0022] The display unit 13 displays the analysis result of the separation data including a gel image and an electropherogram. The gel image is a display format in which the analysis results of a plurality of samples can be viewed from above. On the other hand, the electropherogram is a display format in which the analysis result of a single sample can be viewed in detail.

[0023] [2. Comparison with Conventional Analysis Systems] In software for analyzing separation data of electrophoresis separation, the result of separating samples is displayed in forms such as a gel image, an electropherogram, and a peak list. Patent Document 1 shows an example of a data analysis device that displays the detected data in the form of an electropherogram and a gel image.

[0024] The gel image contains bands corresponding to each component in the sample. Users can recognize the presence of a component in the sample based on the size of these bands. However, because the bands in the gel image have width in the direction of electrophoresis, it was sometimes difficult to determine which position within that width corresponds to the actual size of the component.

[0025] Figure 2 shows an example of bands on a gel image. For example, the band indicated by the arrow has width, making it difficult to accurately estimate the size of the component corresponding to the band. In other words, it was sometimes difficult to determine the size of the component corresponding to the band using only the gel image.

[0026] Therefore, in the analysis system for this implementation, a first size guide is shown in the gel image, indicating the position corresponding to a predetermined size, and a second size guide is shown in the electropherogram, indicating the position corresponding to a predetermined size. The positions of the first and second size guides are configured to be linked. This makes it possible to easily estimate the size of the component corresponding to the band based on the position of the first size guide when the user moves the first size guide so that the second size guide is located at the peak of the electropherogram. In the following explanation, the first and second size guides will be collectively referred to as "size guides".

[0027] [3. Analysis screen according to the embodiment] (3-1. Overview of the analysis screen) Next, we will explain Figure 3, which is the analysis screen for analyzing the separated data.

[0028] Figure 3 shows an example of the analysis screen of the analysis device 1 according to the embodiment. In this specification, "the analysis screen of the analysis device 1 according to the embodiment" is also referred to as "the analysis screen according to the embodiment." The analysis screen is displayed on the display unit 13, for example, and includes a gel image window W1, an electroferogram window W2, and a plate image window W3. The analysis screen may also include displays related to other analyses. For example, the analysis screen may include a peak table that includes values ​​such as the size corresponding to the peak, the migration time index, and the concentration calculated from the signal intensity of the peak.

[0029] The plate image window W3 displays a plate image, which is an image corresponding to the matrix arrangement of wells formed on plate 21 in Figure 1. In one embodiment, plate 21 contains wells with rows A to H, X1 to X3, and columns 1 to 12. In the plate image, wells in which samples are placed are shown with a different visual representation than wells in which no samples are placed. Note that the notation for plate image window W3 will be omitted from Figure 4 onward.

[0030] The gel image window W1 displays the gel image of each sample. In the gel image window W1, the analysis order of the sample corresponding to each gel image is shown as (1) to (8), and the well location is shown below. In the example in Figure 3, the sample used as an analysis control (hereinafter referred to as "control"), placed in well X1A of row A x column 1 of plate 21, is analyzed using four analysis channels. Therefore, the same well X1A is shown in analysis order (1) to (4). Subsequently, from analysis order (5) onward, the unknown samples to be analyzed, placed in wells A1 to A4, are analyzed once each in order. In this specification, the control and the unknown samples are collectively referred to as "samples".

[0031] The gel image is a simplified representation of the sample's separation data, created based on the separation data obtained by the electrophoresis apparatus 2. In one embodiment, the vertical axis of the gel image represents size (bp). However, the vertical axis of the gel image may represent any value related to size, such as electrophoresis time or migration time index. The unit of the vertical axis of the gel image can be changed, for example, by operating a predetermined button (not shown) displayed on the analysis screen using the input unit 12. The "migration time index" is an index of the migration time in the analysis channel and is used to calculate the size. The intensity of the gel image correlates with the signal intensity (mV). Therefore, each of the bands (generally referred to as "bands") in the gel image represents a component contained in the sample.

[0032] The electropherogram window W2 displays the electropherogram for each sample. In the example in Figure 3, the electropherogram window W2 displays the electropherogram of the unknown sample placed in well A1 in row A1.

[0033] The electropherogram is created based on the separation data obtained by the electrophoresis apparatus 2. In one embodiment, the horizontal axis of the electropherogram is size (bp). However, the horizontal axis of the electropherogram may be any value related to size, and may be the electrophoresis time or migration time index, as indicated in parentheses on the horizontal axis of the graph in Figure 3. The units of the horizontal axis of the electropherogram may be the same as or different from the units of the vertical axis of the gel image. The units of the horizontal axis of the electropherogram can be changed, for example, by operating a predetermined button (not shown) displayed on the analysis screen using the input unit 12. The vertical axis of the electropherogram is signal intensity (mV).

[0034] The electroferogram shows peaks corresponding to the components contained in the sample. These peaks are detected, for example, by the analysis device 1, based on whether the change in signal intensity per unit time exceeds a predetermined threshold. The peaks shown in the electroferogram correspond to the bands in the gel image.

[0035] (3-2. Size Guide) The analysis screen according to this embodiment displays a first size guide G1 corresponding to the gel image and a second size guide G2 corresponding to the electropherogram.

[0036] The first size guide G1 is a display that indicates a position on the gel image corresponding to a predetermined size. The first size guide G1 is movable in accordance with the size axis (vertical axis) of the gel image. In one embodiment, the first size guide G1 includes a line segment indicating a first position corresponding to a specific size. The first position is, for example, any position on the gel image, but as will be described later, the size of the band can be determined by adjusting the position of the first size guide G1. The line segment is preferably displayed perpendicular to the vertical axis, i.e., parallel to the band. The first size guide G1 allows the user to easily recognize the first position on the gel image.

[0037] When gel images based on multiple data are displayed, the first size guide G1 displays a size guide indicating the first position for each of the data. In Figure 3, the first size guide G1 is displayed as a single line segment that overlaps the gel images of multiple samples. This allows for simultaneous recognition of the positional relationship between the common first size guide G1 and each band in multiple gel images. More specifically, it allows for simultaneous recognition of whether each of the multiple gel images contains a band of the same size as the size indicated by the first size guide G1. Even more specifically, it allows for easy recognition of gel images containing bands of the same size as the band to be analyzed in a given gel image. In this case, as will be described later, when the size of a component corresponding to a given band to be analyzed is recognized, the size of the component corresponding to that band of the same size is also revealed simultaneously. Furthermore, as will be described later, it becomes easier to compare and examine a large number of samples simultaneously.

[0038] The second size guide G2 is a display for indicating the position corresponding to a given size on the electropherogram. In one embodiment, the second size guide G2 includes a line segment indicating a second position corresponding to a specific size. This line segment is preferably displayed perpendicular to the size axis (horizontal axis). This allows the user to easily recognize the second position on the electropherogram.

[0039] The position of the first size guide G1 in the gel image and the position of the second size guide G2 in the electroferrogram correspond to each other. More specifically, if the first size guide G1 in the gel image is at a first position corresponding to a specific value related to size, then the second size guide G2 will be displayed in the electroferrogram at a second position corresponding to that specific value. In this embodiment, the specific value is, for example, a specific size. However, the specific value may be any specific value related to size, and may be a specific electrophoresis time or a specific migration time index. In this embodiment, the second position corresponding to the specific value is the position corresponding to the size corresponding to the specific value. However, the second position corresponding to the specific value may also correspond to the position corresponding to the electrophoresis time corresponding to the specific value, or to the migration time index corresponding to the specific value. This allows the size guide to be displayed at a position corresponding to a common specific value, regardless of which unit of axis is used in the gel image and electroferrogram: size, electrophoresis time, or migration time index.

[0040] More specifically, for example, the user inputs an instruction to move the first size guide G1 to a first position in the gel image using the input unit 12. The user inputs an instruction to move to the first position by selecting the first position using, for example, a pointing device or keyboard. The user inputs an instruction to move to the first position by, for example, moving the cursor to the first position position The first position is selected by moving it or by clicking on the first position. The user may move the first size guide G1 to the first position by dragging it or by pressing the arrow buttons on the keyboard, etc. Alternatively, the user may move the first size guide G1 to the first position by operating a dedicated icon (not shown) on the analysis screen for moving the position of the first size guide G1 using a pointing device or keyboard. This allows the user to easily input instructions for moving the first size guide G1 using the versatile input unit 12.

[0041] When the processor 10 of the analysis device 1 receives an instruction to move to a first position, it calculates a specific size corresponding to the first position and displays a second size guide G2 on the display unit indicating the second position in the electropherogram corresponding to that specific size. This allows the user to move the first size guide G1 so that the second size guide G2 is positioned at a desired location in the electropherogram.

[0042] The notation for the first size guide G1 is not limited to the example in Figure 3. Examples of notation for the first size guide G1 are described below.

[0043] The first size guide G1 may be displayed so as to overlap only the gel images of certain samples. These samples may be, for example, samples selected by the user.

[0044] Furthermore, the line segments constituting the first size guide G1 may be more than one. For example, the first size guide G1 may be displayed only in the portion that overlaps each gel image, and not in the gaps between each gel image. Conversely, it may be displayed only in those gaps.

[0045] Furthermore, the display format of the first size guide G1 does not have to be a line segment; for example, it may be displayed in the gap between each gel image as an arrow pointing to a first position corresponding to a specific size of each gel image.

[0046] In one embodiment, the first size guide G1 includes the display of a numerical value V1 for a specific size. In the example in Figure 3, the numerical value V1 for a specific size is displayed corresponding to the first size guide G1. This allows the user to easily recognize the numerical value V1 for a specific size corresponding to the first size guide G1. The location where the numerical value V1 for a specific size is displayed is preferably adjacent to the first size guide G1, as in the example in Figure 3, but is not particularly limited and can be any location where the user can recognize that the numerical value V1 corresponds to the first size guide G1.

[0047] If the vertical axis values ​​of the gel image corresponding to the position of the first size guide G1 are displayed, the user can also determine the specific size corresponding to the first size guide G1 based on those vertical axis values.

[0048] Thus, the notation method for the first size guide G1 is not particularly limited; it is sufficient as long as it allows the user to recognize the first position corresponding to a specific size of the gel image.

[0049] In one embodiment, the first size guide G1 is displayed on the analysis screen by selecting the size guide display button 32. However, the first size guide G1 may always be displayed on the analysis screen.

[0050] The notation for the second size guide G2 is not limited to the example in Figure 3, just as it is for the first size guide G1.

[0051] In one embodiment, the second size guide G2 includes the display of a numerical value V2 corresponding to the second position. In the example in Figure 3, a numerical value V2 for a specific size is displayed corresponding to the second size guide G2. This allows the user to easily refer to the numerical value V2 for a specific size corresponding to the second size guide G2 as needed.

[0052] Furthermore, although the above describes a configuration in which the second size guide G2 moves in conjunction with the user's operation of the first size guide G1, the configuration may be changed so that the first size guide G1 moves in conjunction with the user's operation of the second size guide G2. Specifically, the second size guide G2 is configured to be movable in accordance with the size axis of the electropherogram. When the processor receives a user instruction to move the second size guide G2 to a third position in the electropherogram, it displays the second size guide G2 at a fourth position corresponding to the size corresponding to the third position. This allows the user to move the second size guide G2 to a predetermined peak so that the position of the first size guide G1 overlaps with the band to be analyzed, and then move the second size guide G2 to the peak. As a result, the size of the component corresponding to the band to be analyzed can be easily recognized.

[0053] Alternatively, both the first size guide G1 and the second size guide G2 may be configured to accept user input. In this configuration, the size guide that has not accepted input moves in conjunction with the size guide that has accepted input. This allows the user to easily recognize the size of the component corresponding to the band they wish to analyze by appropriately moving the first size guide G1 and the second size guide G2.

[0054] (3-3. Estimation of the size of the component corresponding to the band) Using the analysis device 1, the user can determine the size of the component corresponding to a specific band being analyzed using a specific peak corresponding to that band. More specifically, the user can easily recognize the size of the component corresponding to a specific band by moving the first size guide G1 so that the second size guide G2 corresponds to the peak of the specific band.

[0055] Here, a "specific band" refers to a band that, for example, the user wants to determine what component corresponds to based on the size of that band. A "specific peak" is a peak on the electropherogram that corresponds to a specific band on the gel image.

[0056] The peak of a specific peak is, for example, the point that indicates the maximum value of the specific peak, or a point that is visually estimated to indicate the maximum value of the specific peak. The position of the second size guide G2 (second position) is, for example, a position on a straight line that passes through the peak of the specific peak and is perpendicular to the horizontal axis. In other words, the second position is the position that indicates the specific size corresponding to the peak of the specific peak.

[0057] The size of a component corresponding to a specific band is thought to correspond to the specific size of the peak corresponding to that band. Therefore, by adjusting the position of the first size guide G1 (first position) so that the position of the second size guide G2 corresponds to the peak of a specific band on the electropherogram, the position of the first size guide G1 becomes the position corresponding to the specific size on the specific band of the gel image. Thus, the user can easily recognize the size of the component corresponding to a specific band by referring to the first size guide G1.

[0058] As described above, in the analysis apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, a second size guide G2 is displayed on the electropherogram in conjunction with a first size guide G1 on the gel image. This makes it easy to confirm the correspondence between the first size guide G1 on the gel image and the second size guide G2 on the electropherogram. Furthermore, since the position of the size guide can be moved while checking the peak shape of the electropherogram, the position of the size guide can be adjusted more accurately. In addition, by moving the first size guide G1 so that the second size guide G2 is positioned at the peak apex, it is possible to easily recognize the size of the component corresponding to the band in the gel image. Thus, the user's analysis efficiency is improved.

[0059] [4. Analysis screen related to the comparative example] Next, as a comparative example, we will describe an analysis screen in which the second size guide G2 is not displayed on the electropherogram.

[0060] Figure 4 shows an example of the analysis screen of the analysis device relating to the comparative example. In this specification, "analysis screen of the analysis device relating to the comparative example" is also referred to as "analysis screen relating to the comparative example." In Figure 4, the first size guide G1A is displayed on the gel image, but the second size guide is not displayed on the electroferrogram. Therefore, in order to determine the size of the component corresponding to the band, the user observed the band and moved the first size guide G1A to what appeared to be the center. In this case, the size corresponding to the first size guide G1A was 276 bp. However, when the position of 276 bp was confirmed in the electroferrogram, it was shifted from the peak apex (see dotted line 5). In other words, in the analysis screen relating to the comparative example, it may not be possible to correctly determine the size of the component corresponding to the band in the gel image. From the above comparative example, it can be said that displaying the second size guide G2 on the electroferrogram, as in the analysis screen according to the embodiment, is useful for knowing the size of the component corresponding to the band in the gel image.

[0061] Furthermore, unlike the comparative example above, even if the second size guide is displayed but not linked to the first size guide, it is still difficult to determine the size corresponding to a given band. In this case, for example, the user must visually locate the peak corresponding to the band they wish to analyze, move the second size guide to that peak, and then check the corresponding x-axis value of the second size guide. Since electrophoretic analysis separation data usually contains multiple bands, finding the peak corresponding to a given band from the electropherogram becomes burdensome for the user. Moreover, electrophoretic analysis typically involves simultaneously analyzing multiple separation data corresponding to multiple samples. In this case, multiple gel images and multiple electropherograms are displayed on the analysis screen, further increasing the number of bands and peaks displayed on the analysis screen. Therefore, it becomes even more difficult for the user to visually locate the peak corresponding to a given band from the electropherogram.

[0062] More specifically, a user might, for example, search for the band being analyzed by counting its position from the top in the gel image, and then counting the peaks in the electropherogram from left to right. This process is cumbersome for the user, and they may miscount or confuse the number of bands or peaks, especially when there are many bands or multiple peaks close together.

[0063] On the other hand, in the analysis screen according to this embodiment, the band to be analyzed and the corresponding peak can be easily identified using the first size guide G1 and the second size guide G2. Furthermore, the size corresponding to the peak vertex of the band to be analyzed can also be easily identified using the first size guide G1 and the second size guide G2. The size corresponding to the peak vertex corresponds to the size of the component corresponding to the band. Thus, in the analysis screen according to this embodiment, it is easier to identify the size of the component corresponding to a given band compared to the analysis screen according to the comparative example. In addition, in the analysis screen according to this embodiment, the possibility of human errors such as miscounting peaks and misidentifying peaks is reduced compared to the analysis screen according to the comparative example. Therefore, the user's analysis efficiency and accuracy are improved. In particular, as the complexity of the analysis screen increases as the number of samples or bands included in the analysis screen increases, the determination of the size of the component corresponding to the band using the first size guide G1 and the second size guide G2 is effective.

[0064] [5. Analysis screen according to an embodiment that includes a large amount of data] Next, we will describe an example of analyzing data containing multiple samples or bands using the analysis device 1.

[0065] In electrophoresis analysis, a large number of separated data points are often displayed and analyzed simultaneously. For example, in analysis device 1, it is possible to analyze 8 rows x 15 columns = 120 samples at once. This makes it possible to display separated data for up to 120 samples simultaneously.

[0066] However, the larger the number of samples and / or the number of bands per sample, the more cumbersome it becomes to compare gel images and electropherograms to confirm the correspondence between bands and peaks, potentially placing a greater burden on the user. In some cases, this can also increase the likelihood of misinterpreting the analysis results.

[0067] Figure 5 shows an example of an analysis screen according to this embodiment, which includes separation data for multiple samples. The analysis screen in Figure 5 includes gel images for one control and multiple unknown samples.

[0068] Figure 5 shows an example of a gel image with a large number of bands per sample, which includes IS (Inse) distributed within the bacterial genome. r The image shows a gel image of the tion sequence. Even in the analysis screen containing the numerous separation data, by aligning the position of the second size guide G2 with the peak corresponding to a predetermined band, the size of the component corresponding to that band can be easily determined by referring to the first size guide G1. Furthermore, the size guide is also useful for simultaneously checking the bands of multiple samples.

[0069] For example, in Figure 5, the first size guide G1 is adjusted so that the second size guide G2 is positioned at the peak of the control corresponding to well X1A in the electropherogram, at a value of approximately 495 bp.

[0070] This allows users to easily determine which band in which sample corresponds to the control band of approximately 495 bp by referring to the first size guide G1 in the gel image. More specifically, users can easily recognize bands where the first size guide G1 overlaps, and samples containing such bands. This makes it easy to recognize bands corresponding to the same approximately 495 bp component as the control, and samples containing the same approximately 495 bp component as the control. Therefore, in gel images with a large number of bands per sample, the possibility of misidentifying (misjudging) whether or not a band of approximately 495 bp exists can be reduced. The effect of suppressing such misjudgments becomes greater as the number of samples increases.

[0071] As described above, using the analysis device 1, it is possible not only to easily recognize the size of a component corresponding to a given band when the number of samples and / or the number of bands per sample is large, but also to simultaneously compare and examine a large number of samples and / or bands. This further improves the user's analysis efficiency when analyzing analytical data containing a large number of samples and / or bands.

[0072] [6. Analysis screen according to an embodiment where multiple components with small size differences are included] Next, we will explain an example of analyzing a sample containing multiple components with small size differences using the analysis device 1.

[0073] Figure 6 shows an example of an analysis screen according to an embodiment for a sample containing multiple components with small size differences. Consider the case of analyzing a region (approximately 5732 bp) that appears as a single band, indicated by the arrow in the gel image of Figure 6. In this case, it is difficult to recognize the actual number of peaks contained in the region and their sizes simply by observing the region in Figure 6. That is, it is difficult to determine the type and number of components corresponding to the region.

[0074] However, by moving the first size guide G1 to the position corresponding to the region and referring to the second size guide G2 in the electropherogram, it can be seen that the three peaks of 4869 bp, 5708 bp, and 7546 bp near the second size guide G2 were included in the region. In other words, it can be seen that the region contained bands corresponding to three components with sizes of 4869 bp, 5708 bp, and 7546 bp, respectively. Note that in Figure 6, the first size guide G1 is not shown overlapping the region and the arrow indicating the region in order to maintain the visibility of the region and the arrow indicating the region in Figure 6. However, it goes without saying that in the actual analysis screen, the first size guide G1 may be displayed overlapping with the region.

[0075] As described above, when a sample contains multiple components with small size differences, the gel image will show multiple bands corresponding to each component overlapping and / or closely spaced within a narrow size region. In this case, these multiple bands may sometimes appear as if they were a single band. Even in such cases, referring to the second size guide G2 in the electropherogram makes it easy to determine the size or number of components corresponding to these multiple bands.

[0076] [7. Display processing of the analysis device] Figure 7 is a flowchart of the display processing of the analysis device. The steps shown in Figure 7 are executed by the processor 10 of the analysis device 1. In the figure, "S" is used as an abbreviation for "STEP".

[0077] Referring to Figure 7, in S1, the processor 10 displays an analysis screen including a gel image and an electropherogram on the display unit 13 based on the data obtained by electrophoretic separation.

[0078] In S2, the processor 10 receives a user instruction to move the first size guide G1, which is movable in relation to the size axis in the gel image, to a first position.

[0079] In one embodiment of S2, the processor 10 receives user instructions using the input unit 12. Furthermore, if the analysis screen includes analysis results for multiple data sets, the processor 10 displays a size guide indicating the first position for each data set.

[0080] In S3, processor 10 calculates a specific size corresponding to the first position.

[0081] In S4, the processor 10 calculates a second position in the electropherogram that corresponds to a specific size.

[0082] In S5, the processor 10 displays the second size guide G2 at the second position in the electropherogram and terminates processing.

[0083] According to the processing shown in Figure 7, when the first size guide G1 is in a first position corresponding to a specific size in the gel image, the processor 10 displays the second size guide G2 in a second position corresponding to a specific size in the electropherogram. This allows the user to easily recognize the relationship between the position of the band on the gel image and the position of the peak in the electropherogram based on the first size guide G1 and the second size guide G2. In particular, by moving the first size guide G1 over the band to be analyzed, the position of the corresponding peak can be easily recognized. Furthermore, by adjusting the position of the first size guide G1 so that the second size guide G2 is positioned at the peak, the size of the component corresponding to the band can be easily recognized. This reduces the time required for analysis by the user.

[0084] [Aspect] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above-described exemplary embodiments are specific examples of the following embodiments.

[0085] (Section 1) An analytical apparatus according to one embodiment is an analytical apparatus for analyzing one or more data obtained from a sample by electrophoretic separation, and comprises a memory, a display unit, and a processor. The memory stores the data. The display unit displays a gel image, an electropherogram, a first size guide corresponding to the gel image, and a second size guide corresponding to the electropherogram based on the data. The processor displays the second size guide at a second position corresponding to a specific value in the electropherogram when the first size guide is at a first position corresponding to a specific value related to size in the gel image.

[0086] According to the analysis apparatus described in Section 1, a second size guide is displayed on the electropherogram in conjunction with a first size guide on the gel image. This allows for easy confirmation of the correspondence between the first size guide on the gel image and the second size guide on the electropherogram. Furthermore, since the position of the size guide can be moved while checking the peak shape of the electropherogram, the size guide can be adjusted more accurately. In addition, by moving the first size guide so that the second size guide is positioned at the peak apex, it is possible to easily recognize the size of the component corresponding to the band in the gel image. Thus, the user's analysis efficiency is improved.

[0087] (Section 2) In the analysis apparatus described in Section 1, the first size guide is movable in relation to an axis indicating a value related to the size of the gel image. When the processor receives a user instruction to move the first size guide to a first position, it displays the second size guide at a second position.

[0088] According to the analysis apparatus described in paragraph 2, the user can move the first size guide so that the second size guide is positioned at a desired location in the electropherogram. This desired location is, for example, the location corresponding to the peak of a specific band corresponding to which analysis is desired.

[0089] (3) The analysis apparatus described in paragraph 2 further comprises an input unit for inputting user instructions to the analysis apparatus. The processor receives instructions from the input unit for moving the first size guide.

[0090] According to the analysis device described in Section 3, the user can easily input instructions for moving the first size guide using the input unit.

[0091] (Article 4) In the analysis apparatus described in Article 3, the input unit is a pointing device or a keyboard.

[0092] According to the analysis device described in Section 4, the user can easily input instructions for moving the first size guide using a general-purpose input device such as a pointing device or a keyboard.

[0093] (Clause 5) In the analyzer described in any one of Clauses 1 to 4, the specific value includes at least one of a specific size, a specific electrophoresis time, and a specific migration time index. The second position corresponding to the specific value includes at least one of a position corresponding to the size corresponding to the specific value, a position corresponding to the electrophoresis time corresponding to the specific value, and a position corresponding to the migration time index corresponding to the specific value.

[0094] According to the analysis apparatus described in Section 5, a size guide can be displayed at a position corresponding to a common specific value, regardless of which unit of axis is used among size, electrophoresis time, and migration time index in each of the gel image and electropherogram.

[0095] (Section 6) In the analysis apparatus described in any one of Sections 1 to 5, the first size guide includes a line segment indicating the first position. The second size guide includes a line segment indicating the second position.

[0096] According to the analysis apparatus described in Section 6, the user can easily recognize the first position on the gel image and the second position on the electropherogram.

[0097] (Section 7) In the analysis apparatus described in any one of Sections 1 to 6, the first size guide includes a numerical display of a specific value. The second size guide includes a numerical display corresponding to the second position.

[0098] According to the analysis device described in Section 7, the user can easily recognize the numerical value of a specific value corresponding to the first size guide and the numerical value corresponding to the second position of the second size guide.

[0099] (Clause 8) In the analysis apparatus described in any one of Clauses 1 to 7, if one or more data points are multiple data points, the processor displays a first size guide indicating the first position for each of the data points.

[0100] According to the analysis apparatus described in Section 8, the positional relationship between a common first size guide and each band in multiple gel images can be recognized simultaneously. More specifically, it is possible to simultaneously recognize whether each of the multiple gel images contains a band of the same size as the size indicated by the first size guide. Even more specifically, it is possible to easily recognize gel images containing a band of the same size as the band to be analyzed in a given gel image. In this case, as will be described later, when the size of a component corresponding to a given band to be analyzed is recognized, the size of the component corresponding to that band of the same size is also revealed at the same time. Furthermore, as will be described later, it becomes easy to compare and examine multiple samples simultaneously.

[0101] (Section 9) In the analysis apparatus described in any one of Sections 1 to 8, the second size guide is movable in relation to an axis indicating a value related to the size of the electropherogram. When the processor receives a user instruction to move the second size guide to a third position in the electropherogram, it displays the second size guide at a fourth position corresponding to the size-related value corresponding to the third position.

[0102] According to the analysis apparatus described in Section 9, the user can move the second size guide to a predetermined peak so that the position of the first size guide overlaps with the band to be analyzed, and then move the second size guide to the apex of that peak. As a result, the size of the component corresponding to the band to be analyzed can be easily recognized.

[0103] (Clause 10) A display method relating to one embodiment is a method for displaying one or more data obtained by electrophoretic separation of a sample, comprising the steps of: displaying a gel image and an electroferrogram based on the data; receiving a user instruction to move a first size guide, which is movable in relation to an axis indicating a value corresponding to a size-related value, to a first position in the gel image; calculating a specific value related to the size corresponding to the first position; calculating a second position in the electroferrogram corresponding to the specific value; and displaying a second size guide at the second position in the electroferrogram.

[0104] According to the display method described in Section 10, the second size guide is displayed on the electropherogram in conjunction with the first size guide on the gel image. This allows for easy confirmation of the correspondence between the first size guide on the gel image and the second size guide on the electropherogram. Furthermore, since the position of the size guide can be moved while checking the peak shape of the electropherogram, the size guide can be adjusted more accurately. In addition, by moving the first size guide so that the second size guide is positioned at the peak apex, it is possible to easily recognize the size of the component corresponding to the band in the gel image. Thus, the user's analysis efficiency is improved.

[0105] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 1 Analysis device, 2 Electrophoresis device, 10 Processor, 11 Memory, 12 Input unit, 13 Display unit, 21 Plate, 32 Size guide display button, 100 Analysis system, A1, A4, X1A Wells, G1, G1A First size guide, G2 Second size guide, V1, V2 Numerical values, W1 Gel image window, W2 Electropherogram window, W3 Plate image window.

Claims

1. An analytical device for analyzing one or more data obtained from a sample by electrophoretic separation, A memory for storing the aforementioned data, Based on the aforementioned data, a display unit displays a gel image, an electroferogram, a first size guide corresponding to the gel image, and a second size guide corresponding to the electroferogram. Equipped with a processor, The aforementioned processor, In the gel image, if the first size guide is in the first position, A specific value related to the size corresponding to the first position is calculated, In the electropherogram, the second position corresponding to the specific value is calculated. An analysis device that displays the second size guide at the second position in the electropherogram.

2. The first size guide is movable in relation to an axis indicating a value related to the size of the gel image, When the user instructs to move the first size guide to the first position, The analysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor displays the second size guide at the second position.

3. The analysis device further includes an input unit for inputting user instructions, The analysis apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the processor receives an instruction from the input unit to move the first size guide.

4. The analysis apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the input unit is a pointing device or a keyboard.

5. The aforementioned specific value includes at least one of a specific size, a specific electrophoresis time, and a specific migration time index. The analytical apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second position corresponding to the specified value includes at least one of a position corresponding to a size corresponding to the specified value, a position corresponding to an electrophoresis time corresponding to the specified value, and a position corresponding to a migration time index corresponding to the specified value.

6. The first size guide includes a line segment indicating the first position, The analysis apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second size guide includes a line segment indicating the second position.

7. The first size guide includes the display of a numerical value for the specified value, The analysis apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second size guide includes a numerical display corresponding to the second position.

8. If the one or more data items are multiple data items, the processor displays the first size guide indicating the first position for each of the multiple data items, according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

9. The second size guide is movable in relation to an axis indicating a value related to the size of the electropherogram, Move the second size guide to the third position in the electropherogram. If user instructions are received, The analysis apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the processor displays the second size guide at a fourth position corresponding to a size-related value corresponding to the third position.

10. A method for displaying one or more data obtained from a sample by electrophoretic separation, Based on the aforementioned data, the steps include displaying a gel image and an electroferogram, The gel image includes a step of receiving a user instruction to move a first size guide, which is movable in relation to an axis indicating a value corresponding to a size-related value, to a first position, A step of calculating a specific value related to the size corresponding to the first position, The steps include calculating a second position corresponding to the specific value in the electropherogram, A display method comprising the step of displaying a second size guide at the second position in the electropherogram.

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