Applied Biosystems Optimizes Throughput of 3730 Series DNA Analyzers for Direct Medical Sequencing Projects With New Resequencing System.

FOSTER CITY, Calif. & MARCO ISLAND, Fla. -- TargetSeq(TM) Resequencing System Increases Sample Throughput of 3730xl DNA Analyzer up to 100 Percent; Provides Cost-Effective Solution for Resequencing and Direct Medical Sequencing

At the 7th Annual Advancing Genome Biology and Technology (AGBT) Meeting, Applied Biosystems (NYSE:ABI), an Applera Corporation business, today introduced its TargetSeq(TM) Resequencing System, a new software system for high-throughput directed or medical sequencing designed for use with Applied Biosystems 3730 and 3730xl DNA Analyzers.

The TargetSeq(TM) Resequencing System features a fast-run software module for the sequencing of individual gene exons or other small DNA fragments. TargetSeq(TM) is able to produce 200 to 400 base pair sequencing reads in 20 minutes or less, increasing the daily production capacity of the 3730 series instruments to greater than 2.8 megabases or 6912 samples (72 runs) per day.

"We expect Applied Biosystems' TargetSeq(TM) Resequencing System will have a tremendous impact on our medical sequencing projects where we focus on small, but very important regions of the human genome to identify mutations in complex diseases, such as various cancers," said Kevin J. McKernan, Vice President and Chief Scientist, Agencourt Bioscience Corporation. "The TargetSeq(TM) module effectively cuts our machine amortization by more than half and increases our Q40 bases, lowering our overall costs. We now think twice about using sequencing technology which requires 30 times coverage to achieve one-tenth the accuracy." The number of Q40 bases is a standard measure of the accuracy of DNA base calling results.

According to recent industry data, directed sequencing, also known as medical sequencing, will represent the majority of sequencing projects over the next several years as researchers transition from de novo sequencing to targeted sequencing of coding areas of the human genome.

"We were able to obtain promising data from both our own samples and from controls provided during our testing of the TargetSeq(TM) Resequencing System," said Chris Clee, Sequencing Facility Manager, The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. "There is also potential to utilize the TargetSeq(TM) module for one of our large resequencing projects tailored to the 400bp range of products. This will allow us to run more samples in a smaller footprint and free up instruments for longer read requirements."

"The introduction of the TargetSeq(TM) system into our lab has dramatically increased our throughput on re-sequencing projects, such as those focused on melanoma and prostate cancer. We can now tailor our sequence runs to individual projects," added Steve Mastrian, Assistant Director, DNA Sequencing, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).

The TargetSeq(TM) Resequencing System also includes a new version of the KB(TM) Basecaller software optimized for heterozygote/mixed base detection and added flexibility for de novo and directed sequencing applications.

"We are pleased to offer another advance in DNA sequencing based on our gold-standard capillary electrophoresis technology," said Catherine M. Burzik, President, Applied Biosystems. "As resequencing applications become the primary focus of sequencing work, TargetSeq(TM) addresses the industry's need for a more cost-effective, robust, and scalable solution that provides a foundation for the emerging field of personalized medicine."

A poster presentation describing the TargetSeq(TM) system, entitled "A Fast Run Module Optimized for Medical Sequencing for the Applied Biosystems 3730 Series DNA Analyzers (poster #7)," will be presented at AGBT on Thursday, February 9, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

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 is focused on discovery, development, and commercialization of diagnostic products as well as leveraging its proteomic, bioinformatic, and genomic capabilities to identify and validate drug targets, and is also seeking to advance therapeutic antibody and selected small molecule drug programs in collaboration with global technology and market leaders. 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

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Applied Biosystems, AB (Design) and Celera are registered trademarks and Applera, Celera Genomics, KB, and TargetSeq are trademarks of Applera Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or certain other countries. (C) Copyright 2006 Applera Corporation. All rights reserved.