Celera Genomics Sequences More Than One Billion Base Pairs of Mouse Genome; Mouse and Other Organisms Essential for Interpretation of Human Genome.

Business Editors/Health and Medical Writers

ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BW HealthWire)--June 1, 2000

Celera Genomics (NYSE:CRA), a PE Corporation business, announced today that it has sequenced approximately 1.15 billion base pairs -- letters of genetic code -- of mouse DNA.

Celera began to sequence the mouse genome on April 6, 2000.

A key component of Celera's business model is to provide subscribers with the ability to compare genomes from various organisms (comparative genomics). The comparison of the mouse, Drosophila, human, and other model organisms genomes is expected to open many new avenues of research into the mechanisms of gene conservation and regulation, which could lead to a better understanding of gene function and disease mechanisms.

This project is of critical importance to biomedical researchers using the mouse as a model organism for studies of human biology and medicine. Having access to the mouse genome should allow researchers to make important discoveries in the regulation of human genes based on common structure and mechanisms shared with mouse genes.

"The availability of the mouse genome is crucial to understanding the human genome. Mice can function as translators of the human genome in that changes in their genetic material can teach us how changes in the letters of human DNA lead to predisposition to disease and responses to medical treatments," said J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., Celera's president and chief scientific officer.

Celera is sequencing the 129/SvJ strain of mouse, which is commonly used by researchers to manipulate specific mouse genes to determine their function. The mouse is thought to have roughly the same number of base pairs as the human, approximately 3 billion.

Celera will be providing the mouse genome to its pharmaceutical, biotechnology and academic subscribers via the company's web-based Celera Discovery System(TM).

Human Genome Milestone:

On Jan. 10, 2000, Celera announced it had compiled data covering 90% of the human genome. On April 6, 2000, Celera announced it had completed the sequencing phase of the genome from one human being. The genome assembly phase is now progressing on schedule. Celera is beginning to deliver partial assemblies to its database subscribers and expects to announce the assembly of the human genome in June 2000. An assembled genome is one in which the location and exact order of the letters of genetic code along the chromosomes is known. After assembly, the company will go through a phase known as annotation whereby the located genes are further analyzed to begin the process of understanding their particular function. The company is on target to publish the consensus genome later this year.

PE Corporation comprises two operating groups. The PE Biosystems Group (NYSE:PEB), with sales of $1.2 billion during fiscal 1999, develops and markets instrument-based systems, reagents, software and contract services to the life science industry and research community. PE Biosystems is headquartered in Foster City, Calif., and comprises four divisions: Applied Biosystems, PE Informatics, PerSeptive Biosystems, and Tropix. The Celera Genomics Group (NYSE:CRA), headquartered in Rockville, intends to become the definitive source of genomic and related medical information. Information about the company, including reports and other information filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is available on the World Wide Web at www.pecorporation.com or by phoning 800/762-6923.

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking. These may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "should," "intend," "planned," "estimated," and "potential," among others. These forward-looking statements are based on PE 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, PE 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. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance, development, and results of Celera Genomics' businesses include but are not limited to (1) operating losses to date; (2) a unique and developing business plan; (3) dependence on the timely completion of the sequencing and assembly of the human genome; (4) uncertainty of revenue growth; (5) unproven use of genomics information to develop products; (6) intense competition in the evolving genomics industry; (7) dependence on customers in and subject to the risks of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries; (8) heavy reliance on strategic relationship with the PE Biosystems group; (9) potential product liability claims; (10) liabilities related to use of hazardous materials; (11) lengthy sales cycle; (12) dependence on the unique expertise of its scientific and management staff; (13) uncertainty of patent, copyright and intellectual property protection; (14) dependence on computer hardware, software, and internet applications; (15) access to biological materials; (16) legal, ethical and social issues affecting demand for products; (17) disruptions caused by rapid growth of the business; (18) government regulation of its products and services; (19) risks of future acquisitions; and (20) other factors that might be described from time to time in PE Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Note to Editors: Celera, Celera Genomics, Celera Discovery System, and PE Biosystems are trademarks of PE Corporation.