Applied Biosystems Hosts First Symposium on Sudden Death in Football Players and Other European Athletes

MADRID, Spain & FOSTER CITY, Calif., Jul 15, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Leading cardiovascular research scientists and a number of
prominent football figures from Spain recently convened at the world's
first symposium focused on the molecular analysis of sudden death in
football players. The I Symposium de Prevencion en el Futbol was held
at the Hospital Clinico San Carlos in Madrid, where scientists were
brought together to initiate the development of new tests for
identifying sports players at risk of sudden death. Applied Biosystems
(NYSE:ABI) was the sponsor for this event.

Sudden death syndrome is most common in men under the age of 40
and generally causes immediate cardiac arrest during strenuous
exercise. Reports of unexpected deaths of young men participating in
marathons, cycling races and football matches are not unusual. For
example, in August of last year, Antonio Puerta, a 22-year-old
midfielder for Sevilla, the world-famous Spanish football team,
suffered a sudden heart attack on the pitch during a match against
Getafe and died three days later.

Sudden death can be caused by a variety of diseases or genetic
factors. Genetic causes usually have no symptoms, so professional
athletes at risk of the syndrome can appear to be in peak physical
condition during routine medical and fitness checks. The
cardiovascular disease tests that are currently available are usually
insufficient to detect an individual at risk of sudden death, and only
a genetic test will provide the required accuracy and reliability.

Developing a new test for predicting sudden death was one of the
main objectives of the Madrid symposium, which included a roundtable
discussion about methods for identifying specific molecular or genetic
changes in people who are at risk. These biological markers - also
known as biomarkers - could be used to develop a test panel for
screening football players or other sportsmen to identify their risk
of sudden death. There are several known genetic causes of sudden
adult death, including abnormalities of the heart muscles, and
malfunctioning of ion channels. Ion channels are vital cellular
structures through which ions, such as calcium, potassium or sodium,
pass in or out during the heart's normal functioning. Malfunctions of
these channels can result in cardiac arrest. Several ion channel
abnormalities have been identified that are known to increase the risk
of sudden cardiac arrest, including long QT syndrome and Brugada
syndrome.

Dr. Antonio Lopez-Farre, a cardiovascular research scientist at
the Hospital Clinico San Carlos, is one of the researchers who
presented their work at the symposium. He has already started to
analyze biomarkers linked to the genetic abnormalities that could
cause sudden death, using Applied Biosystems' advanced mass
spectrometry and genetic analysis technologies. Applied Biosystems is
a global leader in the development and commercialization of
instrument-based systems, consumables, software, and services for the
life science market. Dr. Lopez-Farre's workflow includes an Applied
Biosystems/MDS Analytical Technologies MALDI TOF/TOF(TM) proteomics
analyzer for the identification and quantitation of novel putative
biomarkers of sudden death syndrome. This new research is at the early
stages; however, the approach is derived from a previously published
study, in which the researchers successfully used the MALDI TOF/TOF to
identify new biomarkers of aspirin-resistant coronary ischaemia
patients(1).

"The identification of biomarkers for sudden death could
potentially result in the development of routine tests for sports
players that could save the lives of many young people," said Dr
Lopez-Farre. "The Applied Biosystems proteomics and genomics
technologies play a vital role in our research, providing the
specificity and reliability that we need to be confident in our
results."

Dr. Lopez-Farre has also begun routine testing of footballers from
Spanish teams in the first and lower divisions for signs of genetic
changes that can lead to sudden death syndrome. He is using several
genetic analysis technologies from Applied Biosystems for this
research project, including a Genetic Analyzer, GeneAmp PCR System, as
well as TaqMan(R) Low Density Arrays for detecting genetic changes in
the DNA of relatives of sudden death victims. This project is expected
to extend across a number of other Spanish football and basketball
clubs. Eventually, the 14 cardiovascular researchers involved in this
research aim to develop diagnostic tools for sudden death that will be
used in sports and athletics associations throughout Europe.

"We urgently need safe and reliable tools for diagnosing young
people worldwide who may be at risk of sudden cardiac arrest," said
Dave Hicks, senior director for Applied Biosystems' biomarker and
proteomics business. "Applied Biosystems is playing a leading role in
raising awareness of this need, and assisting this team of researchers
in achieving their goals."

For more information, please visit:
http://www.appliedbiosystems.com

Reference

1. Lopez-Farre AJ et al. (2007) Journal of Proteome Research 6:
2481-2487

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. 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
will be provided in a joint proxy statement/prospectus to be mailed to
stockholders of the company and Invitrogen. Investors and security
holders are urged to read this document when it becomes available
because it will contain important information. Applied Biosystems Inc.
is headquartered in Norwalk, CT, and reported sales of approximately
$2.1 billion during fiscal 2007. 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.

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

(C)Copyright 2008. Applied Biosystems. All rights reserved.
Applied Biosystems, and AB (Design) are registered trademarks and
MALDI TOF/FOF is a trademark of Applied Biosystems or its subsidiaries
in the U.S. and/or certain other countries. The PCR process and 5'
nuclease process are covered by patent owned by Roche Molecular
Systems, Inc. and F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd, and by patents owned or
licensed to Applied Biosystems Inc. Further information on purchasing
licenses may be obtained from the Director of Licensing, Applied
Biosystems, 850 Lincoln Centre Drive, Foster City, California 94404,
USA. TaqMan is a registered trademark of Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.

SOURCE: Applied Biosystems

Applied Biosystems
Renaldo Juanso, 650-638-5354 (Media)
renaldo.juanso@appliedbiosystems.com
William Craumer, 650-638-6382 (Investors)
william.craumer@appliedbiosystems.com
or
kdm communications ltd (for Applied Biosystems, Europe)
Jane Wallett, +44 (0) 1234 210555 (Media)
jane@kdm-communications.com

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