CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 29, 2009-- Applied Biosystems, a division of Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:LIFE), today announced the expansion of its portfolio of food safety testing solutions with new kits and software to improve the detection of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes in food. These new tools, which include MicroSEQ^® Pathogen Detection kits, PrepSEQ^™ sample preparation kits and data analysis software, were developed to enable government agencies and food companies to more effectively monitor the food supply for contamination to help ensure food safety.

These tools deliver the highest standard for next-generation food testing technology, which is being rapidly deployed to protect consumers from contaminated food, such as Salmonella-tainted peanut butter, which recently caused the largest food recall in U.S. history. Salmonella is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The new tools from Applied Biosystems accelerate the identification of pathogens, delivering results within hours, compared to days using other technologies.

The MicroSEQ^® Salmonella spp. Detection Kit and MicroSEQ^® Listeria monocytogenes Detection Kit are enabled by a new innovation that combines fast real-time PCR-based molecular technology in a lyophilized – or dried – format that reduces the handling of samples. These kits are part of a complete workflow that is optimized for use with the Applied Biosystems 7500 Fast Real-Time PCR System. This is a simple, three-step process that enriches the sample, prepares the DNA by removing inhibitors with either the PrepSEQ^™ Nucleic Acid Extraction Kit or the PrepSEQ^™ Rapid Spin Sample Preparation Kit and runs the test using RapidFinder^™ Express software for improved data analysis.

Leonard Klevan, Ph.D., President of Applied Biosystems’ Applied Markets Business

“These new technologies are powerful tools we’ve developed for laboratories around the world to protect the food supply. By applying genetic-based testing to address this issue, we are helping government agencies and industry ensure that the food supply is safer and prevent crises such as the widespread Salmonella contamination of peanut butter earlier this year.”

Daniel Fung, Ph.D., Director of Kansas State University’s International Workshop on Rapid Methods and Automation in Microbiology

“Next-generation food testing technology is driving significant improvements in accuracy, reliability and speed of results, which are used to make important decisions, such as passing or failing batches of food products. The ability to apply genetic methods to analyze food at the molecular level supports the greater good of public health, and Applied Biosystems is among the leaders advancing this effort.”

Additional Resources

Technical Product Details: Specifications of the new kits and software

The Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet): The principal foodborne disease component of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Emerging Infections Program

Applied Biosystems Extends Beyond the Research Laboratory

Applied Biosystems is a global leader in applying biology to markets beyond research. These include food & environmental testing, forensic DNA analysis and bioproduction, contributing to people’s well-being and safety. Applied Biosystems, along with Invitrogen – a leading provider of platform independent, essential life science technologies for disease and drug research, bioproduction and diagnostics – is part of Life Technologies. Applied Biosystems and Invitrogen products are used in nearly every major laboratory in the world.

For more information, please visit: www.appliedbiosystems.com and www.invitrogen.com.

About Life Technologies

Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:LIFE) is a global biotechnology tools company dedicated to improving the human condition. Our systems, consumables and services enable researchers to accelerate scientific exploration, driving to discoveries and developments that make life even better. Life Technologies customers do their work across the biological spectrum, working to advance personalized medicine, regenerative science, molecular diagnostics, agricultural and environmental research, and 21st century forensics. Life Technologies had sales of more than $3 billion in 2008, employs approximately 9,500 people, has a presence in more than 100 countries, and possesses a rapidly growing intellectual property estate of approximately 3,600 patents and exclusive licenses. Life Technologies was created by the combination of Invitrogen Corporation and Applied Biosystems Inc. For more information on how we are making a difference please visit our website: www.lifetechnologies.com.

Life Technologies’ Safe Harbor Statement

This press release includes forward-looking statements about our anticipated results that involve risks and uncertainties. Some of the information contained in this press release, including, but not limited to, statements as to industry trends and Life Technologies’ plans, objectives, expectations and strategy for its business, contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. When used, the words “believe,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “target,” “estimate,” “expect” and the like, and/or future tense or conditional constructions (“will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” etc.), or similar expressions, identify certain of these forward-looking statements. Important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are detailed in filings made by Life Technologies with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Life Technologies undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Copyright 2009. Life Technologies Corporation. All rights reserved. MicroSEQ is a registered trademark and PrepSEQ and RapidFinder are trademarks of Life Technologies.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5951678&lang=en

Source: Life Technologies Corporation

Life Technologies Corporation
Anthony Petrucci, 508-383-7961 (Media)
Technology Public Relations
anthony.b.petrucci@appliedbiosystems.com
or
Amanda Clardy, 760-476-7075 (Investors)
Corporate and Financial Communications
amanda.clardy@lifetech.com