National Geographic Channel's Documentary, Explorer: Science of Cats, Features Illumina's(R)...

National Geographic Channel's Documentary, Explorer: Science of Cats, Features Illumina's(R) VeraCode(R) Technology

New Documentary Presents Domestication of Cat Research Conducted
by Scientists at the University of California, Davis School of
Veterinary Medicine
SAN DIEGO--(Business Wire)--
Illumina, Inc., (NASDAQ:ILMN) today announced that on Tuesday,
June 10, 2008 at 10:00pm ET/PT the National Geographic Channel will
premier their latest episode of Explorer, featuring Leslie Lyons,
Ph.D., and her team of scientists at the University of California,
Davis as they uncover the genetic history of worldwide domestication
of cats. Already, more than 700 of the project's 2,000 samples have
been analyzed using Illumina's VeraCode technology and BeadXpress(R)
Reader. Dr. Lyons will present her group's research during an
Illumina-hosted webinar on July 9, 2008 at 9:00am PST. To register for
this event, please visit www.illumina.com/webinars.

"This will be the largest study conducted to date investigating
genetic variation in cats and the origin of the domesticated cat
breads worldwide. Information abstracted from this study will help the
research community better understand the development of complex
diseases in cats, which are a great model organism for humans," said
Dr. Leslie Lyons, Associate Professor at the University of California,
Davis. Samples for this study were collected from various regions of
the world including Egypt, Kenya, Iraq, Iran, Dubai, and India. Many
of the samples were in a degraded state, which imposed unique
challenges on the study. "The age, storage conditions, and
concentration of the samples collected ranged greatly in the study,
testing the capability of the VeraCode technology in the worst of
conditions. Even with those challenges, the system provided us with
robust and reliable data," commented Dr. Lyons.

"This study demonstrates the utility and robustness of the
BeadXpress platform for genetic analysis applications and its
flexibility for use in any species," said Mickie Henshall, Senior
Marketing Manager of Molecular Diagnostics at Illumina. "The study,
performed at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary
Medicine, included 50 polymorphisms associated with cat traits and
diseases. It serves as a model for how this technology can be
leveraged in the development of agricultural testing panels and in
diagnostic panels for both veterinary and eventually human
applications."

Explorer: Science of Cats will premier in the United States only
on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 10:00pm ET/PT. For local channel
information, additional air dates, and to preview the documentary,
please visit
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/explorer/3103/Overview.

About VeraCode Technology and the BeadXpress Reader

Illumina's VeraCode technology platform leverages the power of
digital holographic codes to provide a robust detection method for
low-cost multiplex assays requiring high precision, accuracy, and
speed. This novel technology enables solution-based assays with the
multiplexing power of microarrays. Comprised of cylindrical glass
particles, VeraCode microbeads are inscribed with holographic elements
that, when scanned with a laser beam, diffract the beam to produce a
unique code image. The glass surface of the microbeads provides an
ideal surface for numerous bioassays, including genotyping, gene
expression, DNA methylation, and protein-based assays. Multiplex
assays are created by pooling together microbeads with code
diversities ranging from a few to several hundred codes that have been
functionalized with capture biomolecules (e.g., oligonucleotides or
protein).

The patented BeadXpress Reader is used to rapidly scan the beads
in the assay for their code and fluorescence signals. The analysis
software converts the code image into a decimal code, which can be
interpreted to represent information such as analyte, sample ID,
laboratory ID, lot numbers, reagent kits, etc. Illumina has
demonstrated robust performance in several multiplex genotyping, gene
expression, and protein assays.

For more information on VeraCode technology and the BeadXpress
system, please visit www.illumina.com/veracode.

About Illumina

Illumina (www.illumina.com) is a leading developer, manufacturer,
and marketer of next-generation life-science tools and integrated
systems for the large-scale analysis of genetic variation and
biological function. Using our proprietary technologies, we provide a
comprehensive line of products and services that currently serve the
sequencing, genotyping, and gene expression markets, and we expect to
enter the market for molecular diagnostics. Our customers include
leading genomic research centers, pharmaceutical companies, academic
institutions, clinical research organizations, and biotechnology
companies. Our tools provide researchers around the world with the
performance, throughput, cost effectiveness, and flexibility necessary
to perform the billions of genetic tests needed to extract valuable
medical information from advances in genomics and proteomics. We
believe this information will enable researchers to correlate genetic
variation and biological function, which will enhance drug discovery
and clinical research, allow diseases to be detected earlier, and
permit better choices of drugs for individual patients.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995: this release may contain forward-looking
statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Among the important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those in any forward-looking statements are Illumina's ability (i) to
integrate effectively our recent acquisition of Solexa, Inc., (ii) to
develop and commercialize further our BeadArray(TM), VeraCode(R), and
Solexa(R) technologies and to deploy new sequencing, gene expression,
and genotyping products and applications for our technology platforms,
(iii) to manufacture robust microarrays and Oligator(R)
oligonucleotides, (iv) to integrate and scale our VeraCode technology,
together with other factors detailed in our filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission including our recent filings on
Forms 10-K and 10-Q or in information disclosed in public conference
calls, the date and time of which are released beforehand. We disclaim
any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements
beyond the date of this release.

Illumina, Inc.
Maurissa Bornstein, 858-332-4055 (Media)
Public Relations Manager
mbornstein@illumina.com
Peter J. Fromen, 858-202-4507 (Investors)
Sr. Director, Investor Relations
pfromen@illumina.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008