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

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® 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® 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® 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® 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® 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® 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.

©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.