NCI Flicker

NCI Flicker performs visual comparison and spatial alignment of two-dimensional (2-D) protein gel images to facilitate identification of corresponding protein spots across samples and internet-hosted 2-D gel databases.

Key Features:

• Flicker-comparison technique: Rapid alternation of two aligned images to reveal subtle differences and correspondences in protein spot morphology.
• Spatial warping and landmarking: Interactive selection of corresponding landmark points and application of spatial warping to align gel geometries.
• Integration with online 2-D gel databases: Support for comparing local gel images with images retrieved from internet-based 2-D gel databases (e.g., SWISS-2DPAGE).
• Local and remote image handling: Ability to use one image sourced from an online database and another from a local computer for comparative analysis.

Scientific Applications:

• Proteomic spot identification: Aid identification or suggestion of protein spot identities by visual comparison of 2-D gels.
• Cross-laboratory comparison and validation: Enable comparison of gels generated in different laboratories to assess reproducibility and validate spot assignments.
• Database-driven spot matching: Facilitate matching of experimental gel spots to entries in online 2-D gel repositories such as SWISS-2DPAGE.

Methodology:

One gel image is sourced from an online database and the other from a local computer, corresponding landmark points are interactively selected to guide spatial warping, and the aligned images are alternated (flicker comparison) to visually match protein spots.