How to use REDFIN to analyze your 2D gel images

To use REDFIN in your proteomics research you only need to:

Step 1 Download and install REDFIN
The REDFIN software itself is free and can be installed on as many computers as you want. Click here for the REDFIN download page.

Step 2 Create your personal REDFIN account and log-in
All your analysis projects will be stored in this account so make sure to enter a valid email address.

Step 3 Purchase analysis credits
Analysis credits can be bought online directly in the REDFIN software. One credits costs only $23 (our pricing).

Step 4 Analyze your 2D gels and discover protein expression changes
Use the powerful REDFIN software to analyze your gel images in minutes.

Here we will briefly introduce the different steps of analyzing 2D gel images in REDFIN. For more detailed support material visit our Resources section.

The five steps of a REDFIN analysis

The streamlined workflow in REDFIN means that you will be expertly guided through the analysis, minimizing the need for training and helping you create high quality data even as a novice user.

Step 1: Choose a warp reference image

Warping is the procedure of digitally aligning your 2D gel images to each other in order to correct for distortions in the spot patterns. REDFIN allows you to quickly browse all the images in your project in order to decide which one you want to use as the reference images for subsequent warping. Watch the video tutorial

Step 2: Warp your 2D gel images

The highly visual warping interface in REDFIN makes it easy for you to correct for distortions in your spot patterns and align all gels to a reference image. Aided by an intelligent "auto warping" algorithm, you merely have to press a button and watch all your images be aligned. A warp animation window helps you to easily pin-point any un-warped spots enabling you to align your images quickly and with high confidence. Watch the video tutorial

Step 3: Create a fusion image

A fusion image or composite image is automatically created from the 2D gel images in your project and used for down-stream spot detection. Detected spots and their borders are later transferred onto all the individual images for quantification. This approach guarantees 100% matched spots in your data. All you have to do in this step is to decide, if you would like to exclude one or more images from the fusion image. This allows you to process also 2D gel images with big disturbances such as cracks, without it affecting the overall image analysis. Watch the video tutorial

Step 4: Detect spots

REDFIN automatically detects spots in your 2D gel images using Ludesi's advanced spot detection algorithm. A simple "less - more" slider allows you to fine-tune the number of detected spots for an optimal spot detection on your images. You are also able to add or remove individual spots on the fusion image if needed. Watch the video tutorial

Step 5: Create spot borders

REDFIN automatically quantifies the fusion image using Ludesi's advanced spot quantification algorithm. A simple "looser - tighter" slider allows you to fine-tune the quantification to ensure that the most appropriate spot borders are calculated for your 2D gel images. Watch video tutorial

With the analysis of your 2D gel images completed, you are guided to a final review stage, where you are able to browse the image analysis results on all individual images in your project. Only if you are satisfied with the results are you required to pay the $30 per gel and your results are automatically exported into the REDFIN results viewing module.

All statistics, such as ANOVA, fold-change and Principal Component Analysis are calculated on the fly and you can enjoy intuitive sorting, filtering and visualization tools for a stream-lined and easy discovery of proteins of interest. All at no extra cost of course.

REDFIN Tutorials

Watch all video tutorials