Global Service Providers Select Applied Biosystems’ Next-Generation Sequencer for Genomic Services Offerings  

Service Provider Program Broadens Access to SOLiD™ System Technology 

FOSTER CITY , Calif. – January 7, 2008 – Applied Biosystems (NYSE:ABI), an Applera Corporation business, today announced that it has established a next-generation genomic analysis service provider program for scientists interested in using the SOLiD™ System to answer biological questions that currently cannot be addressed with existing technologies. The SOLiD System Service Provider Program is intended to provide the scientific community with broad access to a comprehensive solution for genomic research. Scientists may now access next generation technology through several global service providers who have selected the SOLiD System to complete their genomics offerings.

By incorporating the SOLiD System into their services offerings, members of the program are enabling scientists to use a single system to make meaningful associations between variations in the kinds and amounts of DNA or RNA and disease. The SOLiD System is expected to help facilitate and simplify the identification, collection, and analysis of genetic information. Each of the service providers plan to use the SOLiD System to conduct a wide range of applications including, whole genome sequencing, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), microbial and eukaryotic resequencing, digital karyotyping, medical sequencing, genotyping, gene expression, and small RNA discovery, among others.

Initial members of the program include Agencourt Bioscience Corporation ( United States); GATC Biotech ( Germany); Seqwright DNA Sequencing ( United States); and Sistemas Genomicos ( Spain). These leading providers are among the early customers of Applied Biosystems’ SOLiD System, offering comprehensive services which include ultra high-throughput genetic analysis, protocol assistance, and data storage and analysis to their respective end users.

Members of the Next-Generation Services Community (abridged)

Serving academic and pharmaceutical researchers with contract genomic solutions for more than 13 years is Houston, Texas-based SeqWright, a world-class genomics service provider that offers an extensive genomics and molecular biology service portfolio. SeqWright’s adoption of the SOLiD System builds on a long standing relationship with Applied Biosystems and increases its strength as a contract sequencing facility by allowing its team of scientists to expand the company’s technology and bioinformatics support offerings.

“Our customers, both old and new, are becoming aware of the potential of this powerful new platform and are eager to consult with our team of experts to help guide them through the many applications of this technology,” said Dr. David Buck, Ph.D., Vice President of operations at SeqWright. “The flexibility, accuracy, and data generation capabilities of the SOLiD System are opening doors to projects that were beyond the budgets of many researchers prior to its release. We look forward to playing a part in the myriad exciting projects our customers are talking to us about, and helping shape the future of scientific research for years to come.”

SOLiD System - Setting the Standard for Next-Generation Sequencing

Applied Biosystems set the standard for quality genetic analysis by providing the most robust line of automated capillary electrophoresis systems. With the launch of the SOLiD System, new standards are now being established for next generation genomic platforms in terms of throughput, accuracy, robustness and scalability. Applied Biosystems is supporting the SOLiD System Service Provider Program by providing technical and marketing support, which is expected to enhance the participating service providers’ ability to deliver genetic analysis services to customers.

“Our service provider program demonstrates our commitment to provide broader access to next-generation genomic analysis technology,” said Kim Caple, vice president and general manager for Applied Biosystems’ next-generation sequencing business. “By partnering with these influential service providers, we are facilitating access to the SOLiD System, which should enable scientists to accelerate important research that links genetic variation and medical conditions.”

At the foundation of the SOLiD System Service Provider Program is the SOLiD System, which is based on sequencing by oligonucleotide ligation and detection. The system consists of an end-to-end next-generation genetic analysis solution comprised of the sequencing unit, chemistry, a computing cluster and data storage. The SOLiD System is currently the industry’s highest throughput next-generation sequencing platform available. The platform is capable of generating 4 gigabases of throughput, and is distinguished by its raw base accuracy, which is greater than 99.94% after 2-base encoding, a mechanism that discriminates random or systematic errors from true single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

For more information about the SOLiD System or to inquire about becoming a SOLiD system service provider, please visit http://solid.appliedbiosystems.com.

About Applera Corporation and Applied Biosystems

Applera Corporation consists of two operating groups. Applied Biosystems serves the life science industry and research community by developing and marketing instrument-based systems, consumables, software, and services. Customers use these tools to analyze nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), small molecules, and proteins to make scientific discoveries and develop new pharmaceuticals. Applied Biosystems’ products also serve the needs of some markets outside of life science research, which we refer to as “applied markets,” such as the fields of: human identity testing (forensic and paternity testing); biosecurity, which refers to products needed in response to the threat of biological terrorism and other malicious, accidental, and natural biological dangers; and quality and safety testing, such as testing required for food and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Applied Biosystems is headquartered in Foster City, CA, and reported sales of approximately $2.1 billion during fiscal 2007. Celera is a diagnostics business delivering personalized disease management solutions through a combination of tests and services based on proprietary genetics discovery platforms. The business is developing diagnostic products that predict disease risk and optimize therapy selection and patient outcomes, based on the discovery and validation of novel markers in complex diseases such as cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, and liver and autoimmune diseases. Celera also maintains a strategic alliance with Abbott for the development and commercialization of some of its molecular diagnostic products. Information about Applera Corporation, including reports and other information filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is available at http: http://www.applera.com, or by telephoning 800.762.6923. Information about Applied Biosystems is available at http://www.appliedbiosystems.com

Applied Biosystems Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking. These may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "should, "planned," and "expect," among others. These forward-looking statements are based on Applera Corporation's current expectations. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for such forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, Applera Corporation notes that a variety of factors could cause actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements. These factors include but are not limited to: (1) rapidly changing technology and dependence on customer acceptance of the SOLiD System; (2) the risk of unanticipated difficulties associated with the further development of the SOLiD™ System; 3) sales of the SOLiD System and related consumables are dependent on customers' capital spending policies and government-sponsored research; and (4) other factors that might be described from time to time in Applera Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and Applera does not undertake any duty to update this information, including any forward-looking statements, unless required by law.

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©Copyright 2008. Applied Biosystems. All rights reserved. Applera, Applied Biosystems, and AB (Design) are registered trademarks and SOLiD is a trademark of Applera Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or certain other countries.