FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Applied Biosystems Inc. (NYSE:ABI) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has purchased seven of the company's 4000 QTRAP(R) Systems for the analysis of potential harmful pesticides in the U.S. food supply. These systems will be deployed at FDA field offices in Jefferson, Ark.; Irvine, Calif.; Lenexa, Kan.; Jamaica, NY; Bothell, Wash.; Atlanta, Ga; and College Park, Md. Applied Biosystems will provide training of on-site FDA staff and will work with the technical personnel to validate methods that will be used to monitor pesticide residues at the seven laboratories.

The 4000 QTRAP system is a specialized mass spectrometer that integrates quantitative and qualitative analysis by combining triple quadrupole and linear ion trap capabilities on the same platform. It is the only system of its kind that provides information to identify and quantify contaminants at trace levels. Mass spectrometry is an advanced scientific technique used to analyze compounds based on their molecular composition. Mass spectrometers scan, identify, and measure the quantity of various substances, including chemical contaminants in food.

The FDA's criteria for selecting the system required an integrated high performance benchtop hybrid triple quadrupole/linear ion trap LC/MS/MS (liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry) system as well as software that performs automated identification of contaminants. Applied Biosystems met the criteria with the 4000 QTRAP System as part of an integrated solution, which also features Cliquid(R) Software for Food Testing, an automated software application designed to identify a wide range of contaminants in food.

"Applied Biosystems is looking forward to working with the FDA to help ensure the safety of the nation's food supply," said Laura Lauman, president for Applied Biosystems' proteomics and small molecule division. "The government's efforts to increase food safety are directly impacted by the accuracy and reproducibility of the scientific information used to conduct the critical analysis that determines whether food is contaminated and a threat to the health of the general public. The 4000 QTRAP System provides a best-in-class workflow for this important task."

Applied Biosystems is a global leader in the development and commercialization of instrument-based systems, consumables, software and services for the life science market. Through its joint venture with MDS Analytical Technologies, it is a leader in providing complete workflows for the mass spectrometry market, based on industry-leading platforms, software and new application workflows.

For more information about the 4000 QTRAP system and other food contaminant testing solutions from Applied Biosystems/MDS Analytical Technologies, please go to www.appliedbiosystems.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 has been provided in a joint proxy statement/prospectus mailed to stockholders of the company and Invitrogen. Investors and security holders are urged to read this document because it 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.

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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) our sales to the FDA are subject to customary bidding processes, and the purchase of the products described in this release may not be indicative of any future purchases of products or services by the FDA; and (2) other factors that might be described from time to time in Applied Biosystems' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(C)Copyright 2008. Applied Biosystems Inc. All rights reserved. Applied Biosystems and (Design) are registered trademarks of Applied Biosystems or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or certain other countries. Cliquid and QTRAP are registered trademarks of Applied Biosystems/MDS Analytical Technologies, a joint venture between Applied Biosystems Inc and MDS Inc.

Source: Applied Biosystems Inc.