New Study Shows TaqMan ''MicroRNA'' Assays Enable Sensitive Detect

    Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers
    BIOWIRE2K

    FOSTER CITY, Calif. & PRAGUE, Czech Republic--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 9, 2005--In conjunction with the European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG) Annual Meeting, Applied Biosystems Group (NYSE:ABI), an Applera Corporation business, and Dartmouth Medical School today presented data using a preliminary version of Applied Biosystems TaqMan(R) MicroRNA (miRNA) Assays to profile microRNA expression in human brain cancer samples.
    MiRNAs are a recently-discovered class of small RNA molecules known to play a powerful gene regulatory role in cell differentiation, developmental biology, cancer, and other diseases.
    The collaborative research study examined the role of miRNAs in glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Comparison of miRNA expression profiles between normal human brain and glioblastoma brain tumors indicated the tumors have a distinct expression signature. Findings suggest miRNAs may be involved in the development of certain cancers and could possibly be used as markers for improving prognosis of glioblastoma multiforme. Researchers concluded the preliminary version of Applied Biosystems TaqMan(R) miRNA Assays provided accurate and sensitive miRNA expression profiling, and determined precise changes of miRNA expression.
    "Other available technologies based on hybridization methods are not able to accurately detect microRNAs from small amounts of starting material, which is particularly important when working with minute, valuable samples like those we are using to study brain tumors, as well as in stem cell research where researchers are looking at cells in the earliest stage of development," said Victor R. Ambros, Ph.D., Professor of Genetics at the Dartmouth Medical School, U.S.A. "We found the use of TaqMan(R) MicroRNA Assays to be the easiest and most accurate way to detect and quantify microRNAs."
    Applied Biosystems TaqMan(R) MicroRNA Assays distinguish between mature miRNAs and their precursor form by using a proprietary stem-loop technology for reverse transcription (RT) of the mature miRNA, followed by quantitative real-time PCR. In preliminary studies, the assays were able to quantify miRNAs in samples as small as 25 picograms of total RNA and discriminate between highly homologous mature miRNAs, such as the let-7 family.
    Applied Biosystems currently has a large set of the miRNA assays in development and plans to commercialize its miRNA assay technology based on TaqMan(R) 5' nuclease chemistry for Real-Time PCR.
    "The discovery of miRNAs has added a new dimension to the understanding of complex gene regulatory networks and their relationship to disease," said Dennis A. Gilbert, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer for Applied Biosystems. "For developmental biologists, stem-cell researchers, cancer biologists, or other researchers studying cell differentiation or post-transcriptional gene regulation, these assays bring the accuracy and ease-of-use of TaqMan(R) Real-Time PCR technology to the study of miRNA expression."
    Several early access partners are currently using the preliminary version of the assay offering, including Victor Ambros, Ph.D., of Dartmouth Medical School, who reported the discovery of the first miRNA cel-lin-4 in the journal Cell in 1993.
    The poster (#P1270), titled "MicroRNA Expression Signature in Human Glioblastoma Multiforme Brain Tumor," will be presented at ESHG today, May 9th from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. A copy of the poster can be downloaded at www.mirna.appliedbiosystems.com.

    About Applera Corporation and Applied Biosystems

    Applera Corporation consists of two operating groups. The Applied Biosystems Group serves the life science industry and research community by developing and marketing instrument-based systems, consumables, software, and services. Customers use these tools to analyze nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), small molecules, and proteins to make scientific discoveries, develop new pharmaceuticals, and conduct standardized testing. Applied Biosystems is headquartered in Foster City, CA, and reported sales of $1.7 billion during fiscal 2004. The Celera Genomics Group (NYSE:CRA) is engaged principally in the discovery and development of targeted therapeutics for cancer, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Celera Genomics is leveraging its proteomic, bioinformatic, and genomic capabilities to identify and validate drug targets, and to discover and develop small molecule therapeutics. It is also seeking to advance therapeutic antibody and selected small molecule drug programs in collaboration with global technology and market leaders. Celera Diagnostics, a 50/50 joint venture between Applied Biosystems and Celera Genomics, is focused on discovery, development, and commercialization of diagnostic products. Information about Applera Corporation, including reports and other information filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is available at http://www.applera.com, or by telephoning 800-762-6923. Information about Applied Biosystems is available at www.appliedbiosystems.com.

    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" among others. These forward-looking statements are based on Applera 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, Applera 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. 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' capital spending policies and government-sponsored research; (3) Applied Biosystems' dependence on the operation of computer hardware, software, and Internet applications and related technology; (4) unproven use of genomics information to develop or commercialize products; and (5) other factors that might be described from time to time in Applera Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and Applera does not undertake any duty to update this information, including any forward-looking statements, unless required by law.

    For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

    The PCR process and the 5' nuclease process are covered by patents owned by Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. and F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.

    Copyright(C) 2005. Applera Corporation. All rights reserved. Applied Biosystems and Celera are registered trademarks and Applera is a trademark of Applera Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or certain other countries. TaqMan is a registered trademark of Roche Molecular systems, Inc.

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CONTACT: Applied Biosystems Group Sophie Patel, 650-554-2732 (Media) sophia.patel@appliedbiosystems.com Peter Dworkin, 650-554-2479 (Investors) dworkipg@appliedbiosystems.com David Speechly, Ph.D., (+) 44.162.273.9150 (European Media and Investors) speechdp@eur.appliedbiosystems.com

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