DNAprint Genomics (DNAG)

[mingwan0]

Applied Biosystems have two big press releases today

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November 03, 2003 07:02 AM US Eastern Timezone

Applied Biosystems Completes Genome-Wide Human Genetic Variation Map and Introduces Tool for Designing Disease Association Studies Based on SNPs

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FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 3, 2003--Applied Biosystems Group (NYSE:ABI), an Applera Corporation business, today announced it has completed the development of a genome-wide human genetic variation map based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and introduced a free, downloadable software tool for viewing these variations in the context of individual genes, chromosomal regions, and the entire human genome. The SNPbrowser(TM) Software, available at http://www.allsnps.com/snpbrowser, will be demonstrated at the Applied Biosystems booth #401 on November 5-7, 2003 at the 53rd Annual Meeting of The American Society of Human Genetics in Los Angeles, Calif.

"We are pleased to offer the genetics community these valuable data and easy-to-use and informative tools to simplify the design of disease association studies and map genes that underlie complex traits and diseases," said Michael W. Hunkapiller, Ph.D., president of Applied Biosystems. "The genetic variation data contained within the SNPbrowser(TM) Software offers researchers a rational way to design experiments, select from over 150,000 SNP genotyping assays to study specific regions of the genome, and prioritize which studies are more likely to be successful today based on the pattern of genetic marker associations provided."

The SNPbrowser(TM) Software includes a gene-centric, genome-wide SNP map, practical study design parameters, and links to TaqMan(R) Assays-on-Demand(TM) products -- pre-validated primer and probe sets for SNP genotyping experiments available via the Applied Biosystems online store. Researchers can query the physical location of SNPs on the chromosome and linkage disequilibrium (LD) maps (the degree of statistical association between alleles of neighboring sequence variants), assess the likely statistical power of a study, and view the boundaries of putative haplotype blocks (regions of the genome in which certain allelic variations tend to be inherited together within a population). This combined information, together with an intuitive visualization tool, provides a unique resource for the research community to study SNPs within their genomic and genetic context and is expected to simplify the process of designing disease association studies. Further, unlike array-based methods and other fixed-set approaches, SNPbrowser(TM) Software enables researchers to use LD map information to tailor their SNP selection and other study design parameters to achieve the most effective use of their research budget, without compromising statistical power.

"The value of the human genome for localizing genes for disease susceptibility is enhanced by the genome-wide linkage disequilibrium map, which provides a basis for evolutionary studies that have been difficult before," said Newton E. Morton, Ph.D., professor at the Human Genetics Research Division at the University of Southampton, a pioneer in the development and application of methods for analysis of genetic linkage and Mendelian segregation in humans and member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. "This impressive accomplishment puts linkage disequilibrium mapping where linkage was nearly one century ago, with the same excitement and promise."

The Applied Biosystems genetic variation data available for viewing through the SNPbrowser(TM) Software are the result of analysis of over 40 million genotypes generated by Applied Biosystems through the validation of its more than 150,000 SNP genotyping assays. The selected SNPs were validated by individually genotyping 180 DNA samples from African-American, Caucasian, Chinese, and Japanese individuals.

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, Calif., and reported sales of $1.7 billion during fiscal 2003. The Celera Genomics Group (NYSE:CRA), located in Rockville, Md., and South San Francisco, Calif., is engaged principally in integrating advanced technologies to discover and develop new therapeutics. Celera intends to leverage its proteomic, bioinformatic, and genomic capabilities to identify and validate drug targets, and to discover and develop new therapeutics. Its Celera Discovery System(TM) online platform, marketed exclusively through the Applied Biosystems Knowledge Business, is an integrated source of information based on the human genome and other biological and medical sources. Celera Diagnostics, a 50/50 joint venture between Applied Biosystems and Celera Genomics, is focused on discovery, development, and commercialization of novel 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 http://www.appliedbiosystems.com/.

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking. These may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "expect," 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 development of new products; (2) the Applied Biosystems Knowledge Business' dependence on the operation of computer hardware, software, and Internet applications and related technology; (3) the accuracy of the underlying data in the SNPbrowser(TM) Software; (4) the utility of the linkage disequilibrium map to design disease association studies; 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.

Applied Biosystems is a registered trademark and Applera, Assays-on-Demand, Celera, Celera Diagnostics, Celera Discovery System, Celera Genomics, and SNPbrowser are trademarks of Applera Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or certain other countries.

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November 03, 2003 07:02 AM US Eastern Timezone

Applied Biosystems Introduces New System for Forensic Analysis at the CODIS Annual Meeting

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CODIS User Meeting

FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 3, 2003--Applied Biosystems Group (NYSE:ABI), an Applera Corporation business, today announced the introduction of two new kits for forensic testing and other human identification purposes that allow analysts to determine the amount of human DNA or male-specific DNA present in samples. Determination of the presence and amount of DNA in various types of evidentiary samples is an important first step prior to subsequent testing performed for forensic identification. Product information will be made available at the Applied Biosystems booth on November 3-6, 2003 at the 9th Annual CODIS User Meeting in Lansdowne, Va. CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) is a DNA database system, managed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, that enables federal, state, and local crime labs to exchange and compare DNA profiles electronically, thereby linking crimes to each other and to convicted offenders.

Samples collected at a crime scene may be degraded due to environmental and other factors and may not contain enough detectable DNA to elicit identification. As a result, samples collected at a crime scene may not produce a positive identification. Based on real-time PCR technology, the Quantifiler(TM) Human DNA Quantification Kit and the Quantifiler(TM) Y Human Male DNA Quantification Kit enable analysts to quickly and reliably quantify the amount of amplifiable DNA present in a sample prior to subsequent forensic analyses. The Quantifiler(TM) Y Human Male DNA Quantification Kit is the only commercially available kit for male specific DNA quantification. In addition, Applied Biosystems performed developmental validation on the kits under the DNA Advisory Board's "Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories," which provides guidelines for DNA testing in the forensic community. Following these standards provides assurance to users of the Quantifiler(TM) kits that Applied Biosystems has addressed the DNA Advisory Board's recommendations.

"Crime laboratories need to quickly process samples, and delays can occur when a sample does not produce the appropriate results and must be retested," said Michael W. Hunkapiller, Ph.D., president of Applied Biosystems. "The two new Quantifiler(TM) Kits offer an improved system to perform sample quantification, which will streamline this important first step of sample analysis, and potentially reduce the number of failed identification tests."

A proportionately large number of all casework samples are mixtures of male and female DNA, such as samples collected from sexual assaults. The Quantifiler(TM) Y Human Male DNA Quantification Kit detects only the male portion of a potential mixed DNA sample and provides a valuable tool in the analysis of these important case samples.

Applied Biosystems is the leading provider of technologies for the forensic community. In addition to real-time PCR-based kits for sample quantification, Applied Biosystems provides a comprehensive set of advanced DNA technologies that allow analysts to determine human identity to one person in one trillion. These technologies allow laboratories to establish paternity, identify the remains of military personnel or disaster victims, and to identify victims and perpetrators associated with criminal investigations.

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, Calif., and reported sales of $1.7 billion during fiscal 2003. The Celera Genomics Group (NYSE:CRA), located in Rockville, Md., and South San Francisco, Calif., is engaged principally in integrating advanced technologies to discover and develop new therapeutics. Celera intends to leverage its proteomic, bioinformatic, and genomic capabilities to identify and validate drug targets, and to discover and develop new therapeutics. Its Celera Discovery System(TM) online platform, marketed exclusively through the Applied Biosystems Knowledge Business, is an integrated source of information based on the human genome and other biological and medical sources. Celera Diagnostics, a 50/50 joint venture between Applied Biosystems and Celera Genomics, is focused on discovery, development, and commercialization of novel 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 http://www.appliedbiosystems.com/.

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking. These may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "potential" 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 development of new products; (2) sales dependent on customers' capital spending policies; (3) claims for patent infringement; and 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.

Applied Biosystems is a registered trademark and Applera, Celera, Celera Diagnostics, Celera Discovery System, Celera Genomics and Quantifiler are trademarks of Applera Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or certain other countries.