Applied Biosystems Introduces New TaqMan(R) Low Density Array Gene Signature Panels for Common Drug Targets; Expansion of TaqMan Low Density Array Product Line Designed to Simplify Drug Discovery.

FOSTER CITY, Calif. -- Applied Biosystems (NYSE:ABI), an Applera Corporation Business, today announced the introduction of four new Gene Signature Panels as part of its TaqMan(R) Low Density Array (TLDA) product line for real-time PCR applications. The new arrays include the Human G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCR) Panel, Human Protein Kinase Panel, Mouse Immune Panel, and Human Endogenous Controls Panel.

The Human GPCR and Human Protein Kinase Panels are important tools for drug target screening and pharmacogenomics research studies. The Mouse Immune Panel contains genes known for their involvement in inflammation, cancer, and cell proliferation making it a significant tool for disease association studies, while the Endogenous Control Panel allows researchers an easy way to select the most appropriate controls for experiments.

Applied Biosystems TaqMan(R) Low Density Arrays are 384-well micro fluidic cards designed for analyzing gene expression patterns in many samples across a defined set of gene targets. TaqMan(R) Low Density Arrays streamline reaction set-up, reduce reagent consumption, and require no liquid-handling robotics. Using gold standard TaqMan(R) chemistry for quantitative gene expression, TaqMan(R) Low Density Array Gene Signature Panels offer researchers the accuracy, sensitivity, and high reproducibility of real-time PCR using TaqMan(R) assays with the convenience of pre-configured panels for target screening and disease association research. Gene Signature Panels are available off-the-shelf and in smaller quantities, ensuring faster results without the need to design large numbers of cards or assays.

"TaqMan(R) Low Density Arrays have always been ideal for a variety of drug discovery screening applications," said William V. Murray, Division President of Molecular Biology for Applied Biosystems. "With our new Gene Signature Panels, researchers will now be able to combine the high level of performance of TLDA with the convenience of pre-configured panels specifically developed for key applications, including Human GPCR, Human Protein Kinase, Mouse Immune, and Human Endogenous Controls."

Applied Biosystems also offers custom TaqMan(R) Low Density Arrays allowing researchers to design their own assay panels by choosing genes of interest from more than 40,000 inventoried TaqMan(R) Gene Expression Assays. The new ready-to-use assay panels join the Human Immune Panel, which was launched in 2003 through a collaboration with the Immune Tolerance Network. Product information can be found at www.appliedbiosystems.com.

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 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, for example in food and the environment. Applied Biosystems is headquartered in Foster City, CA, and reported sales of nearly $1.8 billion during fiscal 2005. 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 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 the development and customer acceptance of new products; (2) sales dependent on customers' capital spending policies and government-sponsored research; (3) Applied Biosystems' dependence on the operation of computer hardware, software, and Internet applications and related technology; (4) unproven use of genomics information to develop or commercialize products; and (5) 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.

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

This product is a Licensed Probe. Its use with an Authorized Core Kit and Authorized Thermal Cycler provides a license for the purchaser's own internal research under the 5' nuclease patents and basic PCR patents of Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. and F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. No real-time apparatus or system patent rights or any other patent rights owned by Applera Corporation, and no rights for any other application, including any in vitro diagnostic application under patents owned by Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. and F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd claiming homogeneous or real-time amplification and detection methods, are conveyed expressly, by implication or by estoppel. This product is optimized for use in the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) process covered by patents outside the U.S. owned by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. No license under these patents to use the PCR process is conveyed expressly or by implication to the purchaser by the purchase of this product. Micro Fluidic Card developed in collaboration with 3M Company.

Applied Biosystems and Celera are registered trademarks and AB (Design), Applera and Celera Genomics are trademarks of the Applera Corporation or its subsidiaries in the US and/or certain other countries. TaqMan is a registered trademark of Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.

(C) Copyright 2005 Applera Corporation. All rights reserved.