Alaska Department of Fish and Game Expands Project for Salmon Conservation and Population Management Using Applied Biosystems Technology.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska & FOSTER CITY, Calif. -- Applied Biosystems, American Fisheries Society, and Alaska Department of Fish and Game to Host Salmon Genotyping Workshop

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game and Applied Biosystems Group (NYSE:ABI), an Applera Corporation business, a leading provider of DNA analysis technologies, today announced at the Developing Cooperative Databases for Pacific Salmon SNP Workshop in Anchorage, Alaska the expansion of a multi-national genotyping project using Applied Biosystems TaqMan(R) SNP Genotyping Assays for the conservation and management of wild salmon populations in the Pacific Ocean.

The decline of some wild salmon populations in the Pacific Ocean is a threat to regional economies and an indicator of potential problems in the global ecosystem. As one part of conservation efforts, researchers are using advanced DNA analysis technologies to track salmon migration patterns, intermixing of populations, and identify risk factors for these commercially and environmentally important fish species.

"The application of SNP genotyping is an exciting advance for salmon conservation and will enable us to better monitor the health of wild salmon populations," said Jim Seeb, Ph.D., Co-Director of the Gene Conservation Laboratory, Alaska Department of Fish and Game. "As we track migration and interception points, it is important that we gain a better idea of the potential impact of climate change, hatchery production, and fishing to promote sustainable fishing practices, and assist regulators in enforcing international treaties."

Salmon genotyping involves obtaining a small piece of salmon fin for use as a DNA sample. Using Applied Biosystems 3730 DNA Analyzers, TaqMan(R) SNP Genotyping Assays, and Applied Biosystems Real-Time PCR Systems, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game will first sequence and then genotype the salmon DNA to identify and select single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to use as genetic identification markers for salmon population studies. SNP genotyping provides a more rapid method for generating DNA data. Selected markers will be used in the development of a standardized database for use among Pacific coastal nations, including the United States, Russia, Japan, and Korea.

As a part of this initiative, Applied Biosystems, the Genetics Section of the American Fisheries Society, and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game are hosting the Developing Cooperative Databases for Pacific Salmon SNP Workshop April 28-29, 2005 to discuss the development of cooperative databases for Pacific Salmon, and to foster multi-national standardization among member nations bordering the Pacific Ocean.

"Wild-life agencies across the world are beginning to see the importance and effectiveness of applying advanced genetic analysis techniques in their conservation efforts," said William V. Murray, President of the Molecular Biology Division for Applied Biosystems. "Applied Biosystems TaqMan(R) SNP Genotyping Assays are a robust, easy to use, and high performing technology that should help researchers at the Alaska Fish and Game and elsewhere conserve economically-important species, such as salmon."

Research published in several journals this month, including Transactions of the American Fisheries Society and Molecular Ecology, highlights Applied Biosystems TaqMan assays in detailing the biology of salmon and improving management of commercially important salmon and shellfish species.

For more information on the Developing Cooperative Databases for Pacific Salmon SNP Workshop, visit http://www.genetics.cf.adfg.state.ak.us/snpworkshop.php.

About TaqMan(R) SNP Genotyping Assays

Applied Biosystems offers more than two million TaqMan(R) SNP Genotyping Assays to provide more robust coverage of the genome for gene-finding and human disease association studies, and offers researchers Custom TaqMan(R) SNP Genotyping Assays for additional human SNPs and insertion-deletions, as well as support for polymorphisms in other species. These products help eliminate the labor, expense, and bioinformatics expertise previously necessary for generating high quality SNP genotyping data. The assays are part of the Applied Biosystems genotyping solution, which also includes Applied Biosystems Real-Time PCR Systems.

About Applera Corporation and Applied Biosystems

Applera Corporation consists of two operating groups. The Applied Biosystems Group 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, develop new pharmaceuticals, and conduct standardized testing. Applied Biosystems is headquartered in Foster City, CA, and reported sales of $1.7 billion during fiscal 2004. The Celera Genomics Group (NYSE:CRA) is engaged principally in the discovery and development of targeted therapeutics for cancer, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Celera Genomics is leveraging its proteomic, bioinformatic, and genomic capabilities to identify and validate drug targets, and to discover and develop small molecule therapeutics. It is also seeking to advance therapeutic antibody and selected small molecule drug programs in collaboration with global technology and market leaders. Celera Diagnostics, a 50/50 joint venture between Applied Biosystems and Celera Genomics, is focused on discovery, development, and commercialization of 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://www.applera.com, or by telephoning 800-762-6923. Information about Applied Biosystems is available at www.appliedbiosystems.com.

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For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

The PCR process and the 5' nuclease process are covered by patents owned by Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. and F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. TaqMan is a registered trademark of Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.

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