Applied Biosystems Expands Solution for Conducting Gene Expression Analysis on Limited...

Applied Biosystems Expands Solution for Conducting Gene Expression Analysis on Limited Samples

New TaqMan(R) PreAmp Pools Enable Scientists to Pre-Amplify Small
Samples for Use on TaqMan(R) Gene Signature Arrays
FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
Applied Biosystems Inc. (NYSE:ABI) today announced that it has
expanded its portfolio of research tools that enable scientists to
conduct gene expression analysis with limited sample materials. The
new TaqMan(R) PreAmp Pools are pre-configured sets of reagents that
allow scientists to amplify small amounts of RNA from biological
samples in order to conduct comprehensive gene expression profiling.
Designed for use with the company's TaqMan(R) Gene Signature Arrays,
which are targeted to specific research applications, the TaqMan
PreAmp Pools enable scientists to conduct experiments that would
otherwise be difficult and costly to perform.

Analysis of gene expression provides researchers with important
insights about the underlying molecular basis for cellular
development, disease processes and response to treatment. Researchers
working with small or limited sample materials, such as stem cells,
laser-capture microdissected samples, needle biopsies, and
paraffin-embedded tissues, often are limited in the types of gene
expression analyses they can perform, unless they have a reliable and
efficient means to pre-amplify their starting material.

The new TaqMan PreAmp Pools combine all of the primers needed for
the specific TaqMan Array into one tube for use with the company's
PreAmp(R) Master Mix, streamlining the workflow and allowing more
researchers to take advantage of these comprehensive gene signature
panels for important scientific investigations. This is a significant
advancement because previously researchers working with limited
samples would have insufficient material to take advantage of the
multiple analyses possible with the 384-well micro fluidic card format
of the TaqMan Arrays.

The first available TaqMan PreAmp Pools are for the Applied
Biosystems Human and Rat GPCR Arrays, and TaqMan(R) Stem Cell
Pluripotency Arrays for human and mouse. The Human and Rat GPCR Arrays
target 384 genes, including controls, for these important drug
targets. The TaqMan Stem Cell Pluripotency Array targets 96 genes for
independent monitoring of human embryonic stem cell lines, or their
corresponding genes in mice, to help investigators compare cell lines
derived from diverse sources and determine which cells have the
greatest potential to differentiate.

An example of an organization that is benefiting from these new
tools for a stem cell application is Reproductive Medicine Associates
of New Jersey, which is one of the world's largest and most
experienced centers for infertility treatment. As part of its research
on pre-implantation human embryonic development, RMA is using the
TaqMan PreAmp Pools as a complete workflow solution that includes the
Applied Biosystems TaqMan(R) Gene Expression Cells-to-CT Kit and the
TaqMan Stem Cell Pluripotency Array to characterize gene expression in
three-day-old embryos. Using the Applied Biosystems tools, RMA has
been able to develop a quantitative and reproducible procedure to
characterize single cell expression of stem cell pluripotency genes
and complete these experiments in less than a day.

"The TaqMan PreAmp Pools have helped us improve quality control
and reproducibility in our studies, and dramatically reduce the cost
and time involved in performing these experiments," said Nathan Treff,
Ph.D., director of molecular biology at RMA.

Applied Biosystems is a global leader in the development and
commercialization of instrument-based systems, consumables, software
and services for the life-science market. The TaqMan PreAmp Pools are
part of a complete solution for gene expression analysis that includes
the TaqMan PreAmp MasterMix, the TaqMan Gene Signature Arrays, and the
Applied Biosystems 7900HT Fast Real-Time PCR System. Applied
Biosystems plans to develop TaqMan PreAmp Pools for additional TaqMan
Gene Signature Arrays as well as offer a TaqMan PreAmp Pool Service
for its custom arrays in the future. For more information, please
visit www.appliedbiosystems.com or www.allgenes.com.

About Applied Biosystems Inc.

Applied Biosystems Inc. (formerly known as Applera Corporation) is
a global leader in the development and marketing of instrument-based
systems, consumables, software, and services for academic research,
the life science industry and commercial markets. Driven by its
employees' belief in the power of science to improve the human
condition, the company commercializes innovative technology solutions
for DNA, RNA, protein and small molecule analysis. Customers across
the disciplines of academic and clinical research, pharmaceutical
research and manufacturing, forensic DNA analysis, and agricultural
biotechnology use the company's tools and services to accelerate
scientific discovery, improve processes related to drug discovery and
development, detect potentially pathogenic microorganisms, and
identify individuals based on DNA sources. Applied Biosystems has a
comprehensive service and field applications support team for a global
installed base of high-performance genetic and protein analysis
solutions. Applied Biosystems Inc. is headquartered in Norwalk, CT. On
June 12, 2008, Applera Corporation and Invitrogen Corporation (NASDAQ:
IVGN) announced that their Boards of Directors had approved a
definitive merger agreement under which Invitrogen will acquire all of
the outstanding shares of Applied Biosystems stock. The merger is
subject to customary closing conditions and is targeted to close in
the fall of 2008. Further information regarding the merger is
contained in a joint proxy statement/prospectus and supplement that
have been mailed to stockholders of the company and Invitrogen.
Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents
because they contains important information. Information about Applied
Biosystems, including reports and other information filed by the
company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is available at
http://www.appliedbiosystems.com. All information in this news release
is as of the date of the release, and Applied Biosystems does not
undertake any duty to update this information unless required by law.

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," "expect," and "planned," among others. These
forward-looking statements are based on Applied Biosystems' 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, Applied Biosystems 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' spending policies; and (3) other factors that
might be described from time to time in Applied Biosystems' filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
Practice of the patented 5' Nuclease Process requires a license from
Applied Biosystems. For further information on purchasing licenses
contact the Director of Licensing, Applied Biosystems, 850 Lincoln
Centre Drive, Foster City, California 94404, USA. The TaqMan(R) Low
Density Array is covered by U.S. Patents Nos. 6,514,750 and 6,942,837.
Micro Fluidic Card developed in collaboration with 3M Company.

(C)Copyright 2008. Applied Biosystems Inc. All rights reserved.
Applied Biosystems and AB (Design) are registered trademarks of
Applied Biosystems or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or certain
other countries. TaqMan is a registered trademark of Roche Molecular
Systems, Inc.

Applied Biosystems
Mark Springer, 650-638-6113 (Media)
mark.springer@appliedbiosystems.com
William Craumer, 650-638-6382 (Investors)
william.craumer@appliedbiosystems.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008