Celera Genomics Publishes Analysis of Mouse Chromosome; Chromosome Sequence Deposited in GenBank.

Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers

ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BW HealthWire)--May 30, 2002

Celera Genomics (NYSE:CRA), an Applera Corporation business, today announced the publication of a comparative analysis of mouse chromosome 16 and the human genome, based on Celera Genomics' high quality assembly of the mouse and human genomes. Celera Genomics also announced that the DNA sequence of this mouse chromosome has been deposited at GenBank, the DNA Data Bank of Japan, and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory sequence repositories.

This nearly complete chromosome sequence was determined as part of the whole-genome shotgun sequencing and assembly of the mouse genome, a strategy that was used successfully for the Drosophila and human genomes. Chromosome 16 of the mouse genome was chosen from Celera's assembly for analysis because it shares genes with a large region of human chromosome 21. Other shared, or 'syntenic' regions are described with five other human chromosomes. Synteny describes regions of the chromosomes that share similar genes and DNA sequences because they have evolved from a common evolutionary ancestor.

"The laboratory mouse is an invaluable model for helping researchers understand human biology and health," said Mark D. Adams, Ph.D., Vice President, Genome Programs. "We believe this publication illustrates the power of comparative genomics, and foresee this information contributing to the discovery of cures and treatments for disease."

This information will be published in the May 31 edition of the journal Science in a paper by Celera principal authors Richard J. Mural, Ph.D., Director, Scientific Content and Analysis, Mark D. Adams, Ph.D., and Eugene Myers, Ph.D., Vice President, Informatics Research. Some of the key findings included in the publication are as follows:

-- Celera identified 731 protein-coding genes on mouse chromosome 16. In
comparing these genes with the human genome, Celera found approximately 98% of
the mouse genes have a human genome counterpart; only 14 genes of the mouse
genes on this chromosome have no counterpart in humans.

-- Large regions of mouse chromosome 16 have been remarkably conserved,
considering the estimated 100 million years that have elapsed since the
lineages leading to humans and mice diverged. Seven regions in the human genome
have conserved synteny with mouse chromosome 16, meaning that they have
preserved gene content and order.

-- The mouse genome is about 10% smaller than the human genome, owing to a
lower repetitive DNA content.

Researchers are invited to visit www.celera.com to obtain easy access to the mouse chromosome 16 sequence, transcripts and protein files and a presentation entitled: "Celera's mouse assembly: Improving the understanding of human diseases through human-mouse comparisons."

Whole Genome Shotgun Sequencing

Celera Genomics completed its first sequence and assembly of the mouse genome in March 2001, using data exclusively generated by Celera using the whole genome shotgun (WGS) technique. As part of this program, 16.2 billion base pairs of DNA from more than 27.4 million sequence reads were generated, representing about 5.3-fold coverage of the genome. The assembly was carried out with DNA sequence derived from four strains of laboratory mice (A/J, DBA/2J, 129X1/SvJ, and 129S1/SvlmJ). The WGS technique was first used to decipher the complete genome of a free-living organism in 1995 at The Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR).

The WGS technique involves randomly shearing the mouse chromosomes into millions of pieces of 2,000, 10,000 and 50,000 base pairs in length. The chromosome fragments are inserted into a plasmid vector and propagated in E. coli to produce millions of copies of each fragment. A key feature of Celera's sequencing method is that both ends of each fragment of DNA are sequenced (paired-end sequencing).

Accessing Celera Genomics' Mouse Assembly

Celera's assembled and annotated mouse genome, and its soon to be released mouse reference SNP database containing over 3.0 million non-redundantly mapped variations, are available to subscribers through the Celera Discovery System(TM) (CDS). The Celera Discovery System is an integrated, web-based platform that enables users to leverage Celera's computational tools, super-computing power, and the genomic and biological data to advance the discovery process for researchers worldwide. Applied Biosystems Group (NYSE:ABI) will soon become the exclusive distributor of CDS through its new Knowledge Business, which will integrate CDS and other genomic and biological information.

About Celera Genomics and Applera Corporation

Applera Corporation comprises two operating groups. The Celera Genomics Group, located in Rockville, MD, and South San Francisco, CA, is engaged principally in integrating advanced technologies to discover and develop new therapeutics. Celera intends to leverage its genomic and proteomic technology platforms to identify drug targets and diagnostic marker candidates, and to discover novel therapeutic candidates. Its Celera Discovery System(TM) online platform, to be marketed exclusively through the Knowledge Business of Applied Biosystems, is an integrated source of information based on the human genome and other biological and medical sources. The Applied Biosystems Group develops and markets instrument-based systems, reagents, software, and contract services to the life science industry and research community. Applied Biosystems is headquartered in Foster City, CA, and reported sales of $1.6 billion during fiscal 2001. Celera Diagnostics, a joint venture between Applied Biosystems and Celera Genomics, is focused on discovery, development, and commercialization of novel diagnostic tests. Information about Applera Corporation, including reports and other information filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is available on the World Wide Web at www.applera.com, or by telephoning 800.762.6923. Information about Celera Genomics is available on the World Wide Web at www.celera.com.

Note to Editors: Applied Biosystems, Celera, Celera Diagnostics and Celera Genomics are registered trademarks of Applera Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and certain other countries.