This is the information file for MATRIX: a new 
Gel Imaging software package for Microsoft Windows 
developed by QUANTAVISION CANADA.


GENERAL INFORMATION:

The MATRIX evaluation program is called MATRIX-DEMO.EXE 
and can be downloaded from the IUBIO FTP site at 
Indiana University <http://ftp.bio.indiana.edu/>. 
It is a Windows self-extracting program that leads you 
through the installation process.

You can also go to QuantVision's HomePage at 
<http://www.vir.com/~biocan/> for additional information, 
screen shots, and up-to-date links for downloads.
 

MATRIX DESCRIPTION:

MATRIX contains tools for image enhancement, molecular weight 
determination, and  quantitation. For image enhancement, 
MATRIX provides basic tools to crop, rotate (as little as 
1° increments), invert, magnify, sharpen and soften an image. 
Images can also be adjusted using brightness/contrast controls 
or by a histogram for optimal conditions.

MATRIX automatically detects bands for lane analysis and 
contains an internal listing of popular DNA/protein markers 
for molecular weight calibration and determination. Additional 
markers can be added and existing ones can be modified.

MATRIX provides two methods of DNA/protein band determination. 
(1) A qualitative approach for quickly assessing relative 
intensities between bands on the gel image and (2) a quantitative 
approach involving lane analysis. MATRIX contains a chart mode 
to plot image data and analysis peaks from lane analysis.  

MATRIX can change peak sensitivity, add/remove peaks, adjust 
peak limits, and provide different methods of background 
subtraction. Multiple lanes can be plotted for comparison, 
printed, and exported to other applications. MATRIX provides 
a special spreadsheet for quantitative band analysis. The 
spreadsheet can automatically calculate the quantity contained 
in each band.


LIMITATIONS OF EVALUATION EDITION:

Anyone distributing the MATRIX Evaluation program for any 
kind of remuneration must first contact QuantaVision. 
You are, however, encouraged to pass a copy of the MATRIX
program (Self-extracting executable file) to other interested 
parties for evaluation.

The following features are not available in "evaluation mode"
until an authorization key is added to the system:

1. Saving experiments and data
2. Printing
3. Copying to other applications
4. Adding more than 2 lanes for analysis


Authorization keys can be purchased directly from 
QuantaVision Canada or through a licensed MATRIX 
distributor.

NOTE: 
Switching from Image Analysis to Chart Analysis 
automatically recalculates lane data. Thus any changes 
previously made to the chart and spreadsheet will be 
removed (chart and spreadsheet data are normally saved 
prior to returning to Image Analysis).

MATRIX (tm)
Copyright (c) QuantaVision CANADA
All rights reserved