Baseline for Gel Analysis

Posted by ALEX CHAMPAGNE on Dec 10, 2007; 2:52pm
URL: http://imagej.273.s1.nabble.com/Baseline-for-Gel-Analysis-tp3697810.html

I'm currently using ImageJ to analyze thin layer chromatography plates.  It seems that the gel analyzer option is the best way to analyze the density values of my bands.  However, one thing that I've noticed is that the baseline is not often constant or straight when I plot the density profile under the gel analysis menu.  Thus, when I use the wand tool to measure the area under my peak, The tails are often included.  I know that the method used by many people is simply to use the straight line tool to draw their own baseline, but this method makes me nervous, as there are several human errors that could be introduced with this process.  Is there a plugin or existing process in ImageJ that could remove the baseline from the gel profile plots automatically?  My lab group has previously used TN Image to analyze TLC plates, and this program, despite its age, is able to perform such a function.  If anyone has such a plugin, or knows how I might write a macro to generate a baselin
e automatically, I would be greatly appreciative.

Thanks,
Alex Champagne
Ohio State University