Phoretix 1D1D gel and western blot analysis
Automate your gel and blot analysis workflows
Results in less than a minute per image, consistent between users, labs and imaging devices. Works with all industry-standard scanners and image formats.
- 1993
- In active development since 1993
- <1 min
- Fully automated analysis per image
- Part 11
- 21 CFR and GMP compliance with AuditSafe
Phoretix 1D first shipped in 1993, and for more than 30 years our team has been at the forefront of 1D SDS-PAGE and Immunoblot quantification software, producing widely used products including TotalLab Quant, TL100, TL120, TotalLab 1D and CLIQS. If you used TL120 for band matching, dendrograms or a gel image database, its successor for that work is CLIQS 1D Pro. Still running one of these? See which product replaced your old TotalLab software and how to upgrade.
Phoretix 1D represents the next evolution of automated 1D SDS-PAGE and immunoblot analysis, it offers:
- Universal Compatibility: Compatible with fluorescence, chemiluminescence, colorimetric, and functional group-specific stains. Supports all industry-standard scanners and image formats, including TIFF, Bio-Rad Image Lab .scn, IMG, JPEG, PNG and BMP files.
- Speed. Automate your entire analysis and get results in less than a minute per image.
- Objectivity. Unmatched automation reduces the need for manual intervention and minimizes inter-operator variability.
- Reproducibility. Consistent analysis results between different users, labs and different imaging devices.
- Quantitation. Enables reliable, accurate quantitation of gel and blot images.
- 21 CFR/GMP-Compliance. When combined with our AuditSafe software, allows users to meet and even exceed FDA 21 CFR part 11, EudraLex Annex 11, GAMP4 or more general GMP standards/ALCOA principles for compliance within regulated or QC/QA environments, from captured image all the way through to final analysis and report production. Read more about GMP and 21 CFR Part 11 compliant gel analysis.
Phoretix 1D is compatible with the latest versions of Windows (currently Windows 11), macOS operating systems (up to and including Tahoe and both Intel and Apple M-series processors), Linux and ARM-based PCs
Our Phoretix 1D software is trusted by the world’s leading educational, industrial and pharmaceutical companies:
After having used many other software for gel image analysis, including Bio-Rad's Image Lab and ImageJ, I started using Phoretix 1D out of necessity in a new role. I found it to be much more intuitive and streamlined than what I’ve used in the past. Background subtraction, band picking, and band analysis are all automated with optional manual adjustment if desired.
So Why Choose Phoretix 1D?
We have distilled our decades of experience in the industry into our Phoretix 1D automated 1D gel and blot quantification software which has been developed in close collaboration with the pharmaceutical industries needs and feedback to deliver the highest-quality data in the shortest amount of time with the lowest inter-operator variability possible.
If your methods section reads “band intensities were quantified by densitometry and normalized to total protein or a housekeeping (loading control) band”, Phoretix 1D is built for exactly that sentence: automated lane and band detection, background subtraction, molecular weight calibration and normalization to total lane volume, a housekeeping channel or a reference band you choose, from any gel or blot imager, with a one-click PDF report. It is the alternative to ImageJ and Excel densitometry for labs that need the same answer from every user, every time.
Analyse a Huge Variety of Image Based Experiments
Phoretix 1D is the perfect choice for the quantitative, automated analysis of:
- SDS-PAGE DNA/RNA Gels
- Western Blots
- Northern Blots
- Southern Blots
- Thin-layer chromatography
- Lateral flow tests (LFT/LFA)
- Checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization
It also allows you to overcome the limitations present in other 1D analysis software, supporting extremely high-definition images over 200mb in size, multiplexed images, RGB color images (which other software in the market fails to support) and greyscale images up to and beyond 16 bit color depth to make sure the quality of your experiments isn’t limited by your choice of analysis software.
Who Is It For?
Phoretix 1D is ideal for researchers who:
- Process large volumes of western blot images
- Need consistent and automated processing of 1D gel and blot data
- Value reproducibility in their workflow
- Are frustrated with fragmented workflows in heavily manual tools like ImageJ, Image Lab, Image Studio or Photoshop
- Want standard, modern usability functionality like undo and redo that are frequently missing in other outdated scientific tools for 1D image analysis
Don’t take our word for it, download your free trial today to see how Phoretix 1D works with your own images, from your own lab.
I prefer the Phoretix 1D software because it provides highly accurate automatic detection of both bands and lanes. In comparison, band detection in agarose gels is not always as optimal when using the older TotalLab software packages. Phoretix 1D also offers more advanced automation and standardization features, resulting in more consistent, reliable, and reproducible analysis. After implementing the Phoretix 1D software, our workflow became more efficient, and results are obtained accurately and quickly. In short, the software is user-friendly and an excellent tool for reliable laboratory work.
Compatible with All Imaging Devices
Our software is device agnostic, so can reduce costs as it can be used with all of your existing laboratory equipment regardless of the manufacturer or any additional equipment gained during future business acquisitions.
Phoretix 1D is compatible with (but not limited to) gel documentation equipment produced by Bio-Rad, Cytiva, Azure Biosystems, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Syngene, Vilber and Pop-Bio.
It’s also compatible with all industry-standard image formats:
.TIF/.TIFF
Phoretix 1D supports 8-bit, 16-bit (recommended) and higher uncompressed TIFF images. Multi-page and multiplex TIFFs are supported and each page is interpreted as a “channel” (all of which must have the same dimensions and pixel format).
.SCN (Bio-Rad Image Lab)
Phoretix 1D opens .scn files from Bio-Rad Image Lab natively, so ChemiDoc and Gel Doc users can analyze their scans directly, without exporting them to another format first.
.JPG/.JPEG/.PNG/.BMP/.IMG
While not recommended because of their low bit-depth and (sometimes) compression artifacts, these image formats can still be analyzed.
This means you aren’t locked in or reliant on one particular equipment manufacturer, reducing your business risk, allowing you greater freedom in your imaging equipment selection and facilitating easier tech transfer between labs.
In our research laboratory, Phoretix 1D has proven to be a highly reliable and versatile tool for gel-based analysis. We routinely use it to evaluate enzyme activity in SDS-PAGE assays, where we assess substrate degradation over time. We also use it to quantify band intensities in Western blots following immunoprecipitation. Its intuitive interface and robust quantification capabilities streamline data analysis and enhance reproducibility across experiments. Phoretix 1D has significantly improved the efficiency of our protein studies and is now an integral part of our analytical workflow. We recommend it to other research groups seeking a dependable and fast solution for gel image analysis across a range of experimental applications.
Flexible Licensing Options
Here at TotalLab we’ve been working with pharmaceutical customers for decades and we know that some of our users prefer using air-gapped computers to enhance security within their sites. This isn’t a problem, all TotalLab software can be activated easily either online or offline.
Our licensing system licenses a whole computer at once, with no restrictions on the number of users who have access to the software on that computer.
Licenses can be purchased singularly for one computer or we also offer discounts on multiple license purchases at the same time if you want to cover multiple computers across your site; enabling hybrid working to perform analysis outside of the lab or to allow multiple analyses to happen at the same time.
We can also support enterprise licensing for full site-wide licenses covering large pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities and research facilities at a significant discount vs buying singular or multiple licenses.
For pricing and any other licensing related queries please contact us.
Phoretix 1D allows for the fast and accurate analysis of immunoblots, supported by optimal control over quantification parameters allowing for the generation of highly reproducible data. All features are embedded within a user-friendly interface, I especially liked the background analysis features which assists in an unbiased analysis by correcting for irregular background signals.
21 CFR Part 11 and GMP-Ready for Regulated Labs
Phoretix 1D, along with all TotalLab software, can be integrated into our 21 CFR Part 11/GMP-compliant AuditSafe software to ensure full 21 CFR/ALCOA/GMP/EU Annex 11 compliance for use in regulated industry environments (such as the pharmaceutical industry) where data traceability, accountability, and integrity are critical.
AuditSafe restricts software and data access through secure user sign-ins, granular permissions, audit logs, electronic signatures and image authenticity checks. Click here to find out more.
Full IQ/OQ Validation Packages Available
At TotalLab, we’ve been supporting the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies with highly secure, production-ready versions of our software for over a decade now and enjoy very good relationships across the industry.
We know the importance of properly validated software and how it forms part of your QC journey so we offer a full, in-person IQ/OQ package to accompany the sale of regulated versions of our software
I found the Phoretix 1D software very intuitive to use with quite an easy learning curve. As a graduate student, I didn't have previous knowledge of similar software to fall back on and so I was very happy with the ease of use I experienced.
How to Purchase
The best way to ensure you’re purchasing the latest version of Phoretix 1D with the highest level of technical support is directly from us here at TotalLab by using the contact us form. We can accept payment in GBP (£), USD ($) or EUR (€).
We do appreciate that some of our customers prefer sourcing products locally in a local currency or prefer to deal in their native language which may not be English. To facilitate this, TotalLab work with a global network of authorized distributors which you can find here.
Analysis of our Western Blots was performed in approximately 30 seconds using the fully automated process. The program is easy to navigate; analyses were performed with confidence by myself and by graduate students after a five minute demonstration.
Support and Maintenance
At TotalLab we take pride in offering the highest level of support and educational resources to all of our customers. Our team of experts are dedicated to ensuring that you have the best experience possible and we fully comprehend the scientific principles behind both your images and experiments. Pricing for unlimited technical support, training and free updates are included in your license cost – one fee, complete piece of mind. You’ll always be eligible for the latest version of the software on the latest operating systems so there’s no fear of future operating system incompatibility or running insecure, outdated software for critical operations.
We never use call centers – when you need support you’ll speak directly to a member of the TotalLab team. We understand your time is valuable, which is why we aim to resolve your queries as quickly as possible, ensuring minimal disruption to your workflow.
In addition to our exceptional support, we also offer a range of educational resources. Our extensive library of tutorials and guides will provide you with the knowledge you need to use our software effectively. Whether you are a seasoned professional or a newcomer, our resources will ensure that you have the skills you need to succeed.
You can access our video tutorials here:
If you have a question about using our software, you can email support@totallab.com and a member of our team will be in touch to help you.
The software is user friendly and easy to get up and running. This is good for us because we don't have a lot of time to waste.
Phoretix 1D FAQs
What is Phoretix 1D used for?
Phoretix 1D is dedicated software for analyzing western blots and 1D SDS-PAGE gels. It automates lane and band detection, densitometry, background subtraction, molecular weight calibration, and normalization, and produces one-click PDF reports. It also analyzes zymograms and works with images from any gel or blot imager.
Is Phoretix 1D an alternative to ImageJ for western blot quantification?
Yes. Phoretix 1D replaces manual ImageJ and Excel workflows for western blot quantification with automated band detection, intelligent background subtraction, and built-in reporting, improving both speed and reproducibility.
Is Phoretix 1D 21 CFR Part 11 compliant?
A GMP and 21 CFR Part 11 compliant edition of Phoretix 1D is available for regulated labs, adding audit trails, electronic signatures, and user management.
What image formats does Phoretix 1D open?
Phoretix 1D opens 8-bit, 16-bit and higher uncompressed TIFF files, including multi-page and multichannel TIFF, and opens Bio-Rad Image Lab .scn files natively. It also reads IMG, JPEG, PNG and BMP files, from any gel or blot imager. For quantification, use a 16-bit TIFF or the imager’s native file.
Is there a free trial of Phoretix 1D?
Yes. A free trial of Phoretix 1D is available from TotalLab. Use the free trial button on this page to request it and evaluate the software on your own western blot and gel images.
I find the software extremely useful. I use it for all my papers.
References
How to report Phoretix 1D in your methods
“Band intensities were quantified by densitometry using Phoretix 1D (TotalLab Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK) with rolling-ball background subtraction, and normalized to total lane protein [or: to a housekeeping band].” Swap the bracketed part for the normalization and background method you used.
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Read a western blot one question at a time: band size against the ladder, extra bands, the loading control, saturation, and how to turn band intensity into a normalized fold change.
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