Instructor Reference Pages

Annotating Gel Images

Using Microsoft PowerPoint (PC or Mac) to annotate gel images
1. Launch Microsoft PowerPoint and open a new presentation.
2. Insert > Picture/Photo from File.
3. Select the appropriate image file and insert the file into a slide (each gel image should be inserted
into a separate slide of the presentation).
4. Rotate the file so that the wells appear at the top of the gel image.
5. Re-size the gel image to the largest dimensions that will fit on the slide.
6. Insert a text box into the document. Once the text box appears, you can click and drag the text
box to the desired location in the document.
7. Adjust size of the textbox as needed and then click inside the box to begin typing. Be sure to
select a font color (and/or box fill color) that is clearly visible on your gel image (and that doesnt
obscure the information on the gel).
8. When you have annotated the gel(s), save the PowerPoint document in .jpeg format (be sure to
note where you are saving the file). Each slide will be saved as a separate .jpeg file in a folder.
9. Appropriately re-name each .jpeg file in the folder (e.g. gDNA for samples 122, 123, 124)
10. Forward files as email attachments to CMB for review.
Using Preview on a Mac to annotate gel images
1. Open the file containing your gel image in Preview.
2. Rotate the file so that the wells appear at the top of the gel image (go to Tools > Rotate Left or
Rotate Right).
3. Go to Tools > Annotate > Add Text.
4. Click on a location of the image where you wish to insert the text box and type the relevant
information in the box.
5. To adjust the font type, color, and size, got to Tools > Show Fonts. Be sure to select a font color and
size that is clearly visible on your gel image.
6. Save the document in .jpeg format (be sure to note where you are saving the file).
7. Forward files as email attachments to CMB for review.

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Barcoding Lifes Matrix Instructor Laboratory Manual v1.1