Genome Sequencing Assists Research into Major Public Diseases in France.

GLASGOW, Scotland, December 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- University of Strasbourg adopts Life Technologies' SOLiD™ sequencing platform to gain insight into diabetes, obesity, asthma, arterial hypertension and other common diseases.

Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:LIFE) announced that its instruments are supporting the 1.1 million Euro Genomax project at the Haematology and Immunology Research Centre led by Professor Seiamak Bahram at the University of Strasbourg.  This research platform will enable the sequencing of the human genome in the context of new research into major public health diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, asthma and arterial hypertension.

Genomax forms an integral part of the translational biobank project called Biomax, the purpose of which is to enable the storage and analysis of thousands of human biological samples.  This project has been initiated and is run by Professor Seiamak Bahram and his team, which includes Doctor Raphael Carapito.  

Seiamak Bahram, Professor of Immunology Strasbourg University Hospital said: "Using Life Technologies' instruments, hundreds of blood samples could be sequenced in Strasbourg in the framework of research projects and provide an invaluable insight into the most common diseases." 

Life Technologies' Director of Digital PCR in EMEA, Herve Pouzoullic, said: "Life Technologies is proud to be supplying our products to Genomax in this venture.  It demonstrates the benefits of the SOLiD^™ sequencing and Open Array™ Real-Time PCR platforms, as this is an area where our technology excels due to its high accuracy."

The objective of Genomax is to make genomics more widely available, accepted in the health sector and to encourage further genomics education in the training of Masters students.

Genomax was jointly financed by the University of Strasbourg, within the framework of the State/Region plan contract, with the participation of the Alsace Region, the General Council of Bas-Rhin, the Urban Community of Strasbourg and the FEDER at a cost of 1.1 million Euros. Genomax is structured within Biomax; and this has been named "structuring platform" by the Alsace Biovalley cluster.

About Life Technologies

Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: LIFE) is a global biotechnology company dedicated to improving the human condition.  Our systems, consumables and services enable researchers to accelerate scientific and medical advancements that make life even better.  Life Technologies customers do their work across the biological spectrum, working to advance the fields of discovery and translational research, molecular medicine, stem cell-based therapies, food safety and animal health, and 21st century forensics.  The company manufactures both molecular diagnostic and research use only products.  Life Technologies' industry-leading brands are found in nearly every life sciences lab in the world and include innovative instrument systems under the Applied Biosystems and Ion Torrent names, as well as, the broadest range of reagents with its Invitrogen, Gibco, Ambion, Molecular Probes and Taqman products.  Life Technologies had sales of $3.6 billion in 2010, has a workforce of approximately 11,000 people, has a presence in approximately 160 countries, and possesses one of the largest intellectual property estates in the life sciences industry, with approximately 3,900 patents and exclusive licenses.  For more information on how we are making a difference, please visit our website: http://www.lifetechnologies.com.  Follow Life Technologies on Twitter @LIFECorporation and on Facebook.

Life Technologies' Safe Harbor Statement

This press release includes forward-looking statements about Life Technologies' 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.

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Life Technologies Contact:
David Robertson, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, EMEA
+44-141-814-5889
david.robertson@lifetech.com

University of Strasbourg Contact:
Gaelle Talbot
Tel: +33-(0)3-68-85-14-36
Fax: +33-(0)3-68-85-11-38
gaelle.talbot@unistra.fr
http://www.unistra.fr