Molecular Weight Estimation

In general, Empiria Studio compares the location of bands on the image to the location of bands on the MW marker to estimate the size of bands. The exact calculation varies depending on the number of marker lanes specified for an image.

One MW marker

If you specify one molecular weight marker, a ratio of MW to distance traveled on the image is established for the MW marker and used to calculate MW of sample bands. If a sample band is located higher on the image than the top band in the MW marker lane or lower on the image than the bottom band in the MW marker lane, the sample band's MW will not be estimated and the MW Column in the Analysis Table will be left blank for that band.

More than one MW marker

If you specify more than one MW marker lane, bands will be sized differently based on the location of the sample lane relative to the markers.

• If the sample lane is between MW marker lanes loaded with the same MW marker, such as when you've put a MW marker on each edge of the blot, Empiria Studio will perform linear interpolation to find the relationship between bands in each MW marker lane. Lines of constant MW connect corresponding bands in the MW Marker lanes, and bands in sample lanes will be sized based on their position relative to the lines. If a sample band is located higher on the image than the highest line or lower on the image than the lowest line, the sample band's MW will not be estimated and the MW Column in the Analysis Table will be left blank for that band.

• If a sample lane is not between MW marker lanes, that band will be sized according to the closest MW marker lane.