We describe here a computer system for the analysis of high-resolution two-dimensional gel-electrophoresis patterns, with some initial applications. The system (called TYCHO) comprises programs for image acquisition, background subtraction and smoothing, spot detection, gaussian spot modeling, and pattern matching and comparison. It is based on a conventional minicomputer, but makes extensive use of a high-speed array processor in the image-processing and -modeling steps. Used in concert with the ISO-DALT two-dimensional electrophoresis system (Anal. Biochem. 85:331-354, 1978), TYCHO allows quantitative measurement of hundreds of proteins in complex biological samples, and constitutes the initial data-reduction system required for work towards a Human Protein Index.

The hydrodynamic volume concept can be used effectively with gel‐permeation chromatographic (GPC) and viscosity data to estimate the molecular weight of a variety of polymers. Agreement is within ±5–10% of the absolute values and thus is satisfactory for many purposes. An iterative computer technique and a method developed by Funt and Hornof for analyzing GPC–viscosity data were found to be equivalent with respect to estimating the molecular weights for the five cases studied. The latter is easily employed but restricted to the case where the sample of interest and the GPC calibration standards have approximately equal Mark‐Houwink parameters. Since GPC measurements are commonly performed in thermodynamically good solvents, the general applicability of the method is not impaired. Using the unperturbed dimensions of the polymer chain to estimate the molecular weight of a variety of polymers was not as satisfactory as the above techniques. This approach generally gave biased molecular weight values (consistently low or consistently high). Agreement with the absolute values ranged from 10 to 30%. We therefore believe that either of the techniques based on the hydrodynamic volume concept can be used more effectively to estimate the molecular weight of a series of polymers than the treatment based on the unperturbed dimension.

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