Two New Applied Biosystems Forensic Kits Approved for Use by ...

Two New Applied Biosystems Forensic Kits Approved for Use by the National DNA Index System

Enables New Era of Efficiency and Effectiveness for Forensic DNA Laboratories

CARLSBAD, Calif., (BUSINESS WIRE) --LifeTechnologies Corporation (NASDAQ:LIFE) today announced that its Applied Biosystems Identifiler(R) Direct and Identifiler(R) Plus forensic kits have been approved by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation for use by laboratories generating DNA profiles for inclusion in the National DNA Index System (NDIS) CODIS Database. The advanced capabilities of these new forensic kits, combined with the Applied Biosystems MiniFiler(TM) kit, which was NDIS approved last year, enable a new era of efficiency and effectiveness for forensic DNA laboratories.

NDIS manages the Federal CODIS forensic DNA database, which facilitates the electronic comparison and exchange of DNA profiles between participating local, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and forensic laboratories. The CODIS database is the world's largest, containing more than 8 million profiles and has produced more than 114,000 matches between a DNA profile and the database, assisting in more than 112,000 criminal investigations across the United States.

The following forensic kits are now approved for use by forensic laboratories generating DNA profiles for inclusion in the NDIS CODIS database:

• Identifiler Direct is the world's first commercially available kit designed to enable direct amplification of database samples to address the challenge associated with processing an increasing quantity of samples. It eliminates DNA extraction and purification for single source samples on standard FTA^(R) cards, dramatically simplifying the processing workflow and automation requirements as well as accelerating testing by as much as 30 percent.
  
• Identifiler Plus enables forensic analysts to recover more results from a wider range of DNA evidence samples. It applies next-generation PCR amplification technology for enhanced sensitivity, improved performance on mixtures and the ability to overcome high levels of PCR inhibitors.
  
• MiniFiler, which was NDIS approved in late 2009, is the world's first commercially available kit designed with miniSTR amplicons to obtain DNA results from degraded or compromised samples that previously would have yielded little to no genetic data. The MiniFiler kit has proven its utility globally in a wide range of investigations, including cold cases, missing person cases, exonerations and historical and archeological cases.

"We are committed to developing the most cutting edge forensic tools to help address the demand for high-quality results from DNA samples that are increasing in quantity and complexity," said Leonard Klevan, Ph.D., President of Human Identification at Life Technologies. "With this NDIS approval, forensic scientists can now take full advantage of the innovations offered by our new kits, and integrate these capabilities with our next-generation 3500 genetic analysis systems, enabling them to achieve an unmatched level of performance, efficiency and data quality. Ultimately, we believe this will have a significant impact in solving and preventing a wide variety of crimes, contributing to public safety and security."

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 $3.3 billion in 2009, employs approximately 9,000 people, has a presence in approximately 160 countries, and possesses a rapidly growing intellectual property estate of approximately 3,900 patents and exclusive licenses. Life Technologies was created by the combination of Invitrogen Corporation and Applied Biosystems Inc., and manufactures both in-vitro diagnostic products and research use only-labeled products. For more information on how we are making a difference, please visit our website: http://www.lifetechnologies.com.