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Prepared and filed by St Ives Burrups
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<p align="right"><font size="2" face="serif"><b>Registration No. 333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</b></font></p>
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<p align="center"><b><font face="serif" size="3">UNITED STATES<br>
</font></b><b><font face="serif" size="3">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<br>
</font></b><b><font face="serif" size="3">WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549</font></b></p>
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<p align="center"><b><font face="serif" size="3">FORM S-8<br>
</font></b><b><font face="serif" size="3">REGISTRATION STATEMENT<br>
</font></b><b><font face="serif" size="3">UNDER<br>
</font></b><b><font face="serif" size="3">THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</font></b></p>
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<p align="center"><b><font face="serif" size="3">APPLERA CORPORATION<br>
</font></b><font face="serif" size="1">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) </font></p>
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    <td width="50%" align="center"><b><font size="2">Delaware</font></b><font face="serif" size="2">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="center"><b><font size="2">06-1534213</font></b></td>
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    <td align="center"><font face="serif" size="2">(State or Other Jurisdiction of<br>
      Incorporation
    or Organization)&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td align="center"><font face="serif" size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;(I.R.S. Employer<br>
      Identification
        Number)</font></td>
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<p align="center"><font size="2" face="serif"><b>301 MERRITT 7<br>
</b></font><font size="2" face="serif"><b>NORWALK, CONNECTICUT  06851-1070<br>
</b></font><font face="serif" size="1">(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)</font></p>
<p align="center"><b><font face="serif" size="3">APPLERA CORPORATION/APPLIED BIOSYSTEMS GROUP<br>
</font></b><b><font face="serif" size="3">AMENDED AND RESTATED 1999 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN<br>
</font></b><font face="serif" size="1">(Full Title of the Plan)</font></p>
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<p align="center"><font size="2" face="serif"><b>WILLIAM B. SAWCH<br>
</b></font><font size="2" face="serif"><b>Senior Vice President and General Counsel<br>
</b></font><font size="2" face="serif"><b>APPLERA CORPORATION<br>
</b></font><font size="2" face="serif"><b>301 Merritt 7<br>
</b></font><font size="2" face="serif"><b>Norwalk, Connecticut 06851-1070<br>
</b></font><font size="2" face="serif"><b>(203) 840-2000<br>
</b></font><font face="serif" size="1">(Name, Address, and Telephone Number of Agent for Service)</font></p>
<p align="center"><font size="2" face="serif"><b>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</b></font></p>
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<td align="left" valign="bottom"><font size="2" face="serif"><font face="serif" size="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered</b></font></font></td>
<td width="12%" align="center" valign="bottom"><font face="serif" size="1"><b>Amount to be<br>
Registered (1)(2)</b></font></td>
<td width="12%" align="center" valign="bottom"><font face="serif" size="1"> <b>Proposed Maximum<br>
Offering Price Per<br>
Share (3)</b></font></td>
<td width="12%" align="center" valign="bottom"><font face="serif" size="1"><b>Proposed Maximum<br>
Aggregate Offering<br>
Price (3)</b></font></td>
<td width="12%" align="center" valign="bottom"><font face="serif" size="1"><b>Amount of<br>
Registration Fee</b></font></td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif"><font face="serif" size="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Applera
      Corporation &#150; Applied Biosystems Group<br>
      &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Common Stock, par value $.01
      per share (2)</font></font></td>
<td align="center" valign="middle"><font size="2" face="serif"><font face="serif" size="1">4,000,000</font></font></td>
<td align="center" valign="middle"><font size="2" face="serif"><font face="serif" size="1">$18.58</font></font></td>
<td align="center" valign="middle"><font size="2" face="serif"><font face="serif" size="1">$74,320,000</font></font></td>
<td align="center" valign="middle"><font size="2" face="serif"><font face="serif" size="1">$9,416.34</font></font></td>
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<font face="serif" size="1">1.</font></font></td>
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<font size="2" face="serif"> <font face="serif" size="1">Together with an indeterminate
number of additional shares that may be issued to adjust the number of shares
reserved for issuance pursuant to the Applera Corporation/Applied Biosystems
Group Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan as the result of any future
stock
split,
stock
dividend, or similar adjustment to the Applera Corporation &#150; Applied Biosystems
 Group Common Stock (the &#147;Applera &#151; Applied Biosystems Stock&#148;). </font>
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<font face="serif" size="1">2.</font></font></td>
<td align="left"><font face="serif" size="1">This Registration Statement also
    includes rights to purchase Series A Participating Junior Preferred Stock,
    par value $.01 per share, of the Registrant (the &#147;Rights&#148;).  Until the occurrence of certain prescribed events, the Rights are not exercisable, are evidenced by the certificates for Applera &#150; Applied Biosystems Stock, and will be transferred along with and only with such securities.  Thereafter, separate Rights certificates will be issued representing one Right for each share of Applera &#150; Applied Biosystems Stock held, subject to
 adjustment pursuant to anti-dilution provisions.</font></td>
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<font face="serif" size="1">3.</font></font></td>
<td align="left"><font face="serif" size="1">Pursuant to Rule 457(h)(1) and Rule
    457(c), the proposed maximum  offering price per share and the registration
    fee are based on the reported average of
the high and low prices for the Applera &#150; Applied Biosystems Stock on the
New York Stock Exchange on October 25, 2004. The maximum offering price per share
is estimated
solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee.</font></td>
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<p><a href="#contents"><font size="2">Back to Contents</font></a></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The contents of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed by Applera Corporation (formerly PE Corporation) (the &#147;Company&#148;) (File No. 333-82679) on July 12, 1999, with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are hereby incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.</font></p>
<p align="center"><font size="2" face="serif"><b>PART II</b></font></p>
<p align="center"><font size="2" face="serif"><b>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</b></font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif"><b>Item 5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</b></font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Legal matters in connection with the shares of Applera &#150; Applied Biosystems Stock subject to issuance pursuant to the Applera Corporation/Applied Biosystems Group Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan have been passed upon by Thomas P. Livingston, Esq., Vice President and Secretary of the Company.  Mr. Livingston owns Applera &#150; Applied Biosystems Stock and options to purchase Applera &#150; Applied Biosystems Stock with an aggregate value in excess of $50,000.</font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif"><b>Item 8.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Exhibits.</b></font></p>

<div style="text-indent: 3%"><p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">The following exhibits are filed as part
of this Registration Statement:</font></p></div>

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<td align="left" width="16%"><font size="2" face="serif">Exhibit 3.1</font></td>
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Applera Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i) to the Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2000 (Commission file No. 1-4389)).</font></td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Exhibit 3.2</font></td>
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">By-laws of Applera Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company&#146;s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-67797)).</font></td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Exhibit 3.3</font></td>
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Certificate of Designations of Series A Participating Junior Preferred Stock and Series B Participating Junior Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company&#146;s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-67797)).</font></td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Exhibit 4.1</font></td>
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement
    dated as of April 28, 1999, between the Company and BankBoston N.A.
    (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company&#146;s Registration
    Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-67797)).</font></td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Exhibit 4.2</font></td>
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Amendment to Rights Agreement dated as of April 17, 2002, among BankBoston, N.A., EquiServe Trust Company, N.A., and the Company
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2002 (Commission file number 1-4389)).</font></td>
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<p align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">2</font></p>
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<td width="16%" align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Exhibit 5</font></td>
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Opinion of Thomas P. Livingston, Esq. (including consent).</font></td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Exhibit 10.1</font></td>
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Applera Corporation/Applied Biosystems
    Group Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan, effective as of October
    21, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Annex B to Schedule 14A, filed September
    17, 2004, containing the Company&#146;s definitive Proxy Statement for its
    2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (Commission file number 1-4389)).</font></td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Exhibit 23.1</font></td>
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.</font></td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Exhibit 23.2</font></td>
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Consent of Thomas P. Livingston, Esq. (included in Exhibit 5).</font></td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Exhibit 24</font></td>
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Power of Attorney (contained on the signature pages hereof).</font></td>
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<p align="center"><font face="serif" size="2">3</font></p>
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<p align="center"><font size="2" face="serif"><b>SIGNATURES</b></font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant
    to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Company certifies
    that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements
    for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to
    be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in
the City of Norwalk, State of Connecticut, on October 29, 2004.</font></p>
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  <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">APPLERA CORPORATION</font></td>
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  <td><font size="2" face="serif">By:</font></td>
  <td align="left"><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">/s/ William B. Sawch&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></u></td>
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<td><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">William B. Sawch<br>
  Senior Vice President and  <br>
  General Counsel</font></td>
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<p align="center"><font size="2" face="serif"><b>POWER OF ATTORNEY</b></font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We, the undersigned directors and officers of the Company, do hereby constitute and appoint Dennis L. Winger and William B. Sawch, or either of them, our true and lawful attorneys and agents, to do any and all acts and things in our name and on our behalf in our capacities as directors and officers and to execute any and all instruments for us and in our names in the capacities indicated below, which said attorneys and agents, or either of them, may deem necessary or advisable to enable said corporation to comply with the Securities Act of 1933 and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in connection with this Registration Statement, including specifically, but without
limitation, power and authority to sign for us or any of us in our names in the capacities indicated below, any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) hereto and we do hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys and agents, or either of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.</font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.</font></p>
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    <td><font size="2" face="serif">/s/ Tony L. White</font>
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    <td width="35%" rowspan="2" align="left" valign="top"><font size="2" face="serif">Chairman
        of the Board,<br>
      President and<br>
      Chief Executive Officer<br>
      (Principal Executive Officer)</font><br>
    </td>
    <td width="3%">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="29%"><font size="2" face="serif">October 29, 2004</font></td>
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    <td valign="top"><font size="2" face="serif">Tony L. White</font></td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
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<p align="center"><font face="serif" size="2">4</font></p>
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    <td>/<font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">s</font>/ <font size="2" face="serif">Dennis
        L. Winger</font><br>
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    <td rowspan="2" valign="top"><font size="2" face="serif">Senior Vice President
        and<br>
      </font><font size="2" face="serif">Chief Financial Officer<br>
    </font><font size="2" face="serif">(Principal Financial Officer)</font></td>
    <td width="3%">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="29%"><font size="2" face="serif">October 29, 2004</font></td>
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    <td><font size="2" face="serif">Dennis L. Winger</font></td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
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    <td>/<font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">s</font>/<font size="2" face="serif"> Ugo
        D. DeBlasi</font><br>
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    <td valign="bottom"><font size="2" face="serif">Controller</font></td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td><font size="2" face="serif">October 29, 2004</font></td>
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    <td><font size="2" face="serif">Ugo D. DeBlasi</font></td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td><font size="2" face="serif">(Principal
        Accounting Officer)</font></td>
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    <td>/<font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">s</font>/ <font size="2" face="serif">Richard
        H. Ayers</font><br>
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    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td><font size="2" face="serif">Director</font></td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td><font size="2" face="serif">October 29, 2004</font></td>
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    <td><font size="2" face="serif">Richard H. Ayers</font></td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
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    <td>/<font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">s</font>/ <font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font><font size="2" face="serif">Jean-Luc B&eacute;lingard</font><br>
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    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td><font size="2" face="serif">Director</font></td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td><font size="2" face="serif">October 29, 2004</font></td>
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    <td><font size="2" face="serif">Jean-Luc B&eacute;lingard</font></td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
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    <td>/<font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">s</font>/ <font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font><font size="2" face="serif">Robert
        H. Hayes</font><br>
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    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td><font size="2" face="serif">Director</font></td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td><font size="2" face="serif">October 29, 2004</font></td>
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    <td><font size="2" face="serif">Robert H. Hayes</font></td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
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    <td>/<font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">s</font>/ <font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font><font size="2" face="serif">Arnold
        J. Levine</font><br>
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    <td><font size="2" face="serif">Director</font></td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td><font size="2" face="serif">October 29, 2004</font></td>
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    <td><font size="2" face="serif">Arnold J. Levine</font></td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
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    <td>/<font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">s</font>/ <font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font><font size="2" face="serif">William
        H. Longfield</font><br>
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    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td><font size="2" face="serif">Director</font></td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td><font size="2" face="serif">October 29, 2004</font></td>
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    <td><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font><font size="2" face="serif">William
        H. Longfield</font></td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
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  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>/<font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">s</font>/ <font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font><font size="2" face="serif">Theodore
        E. Martin</font><br>
              <hr noshade size="1">
    </td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td><font size="2" face="serif">Director</font></td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td><font size="2" face="serif">October 29, 2004</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td><font size="2" face="serif">Theodore E. Martin</font></td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>/<font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">s</font>/ <font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font><font size="2" face="serif">Carolyn
        W. Slayman</font><br>
              <hr noshade size="1">
    </td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td><font size="2" face="serif">Director</font></td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td><font size="2" face="serif">October 29, 2004</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Carolyn W. Slayman</font></td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td><font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">/s/</font> <font size="2" face="serif">Orin
        R. Smith</font><br>
              <hr noshade size="1">
    </td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td><font size="2" face="serif">Director</font></td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td><font size="2" face="serif">October 29, 2004</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td><font size="2" face="serif">Orin R. Smith</font></td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>/<font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">s</font>/ <font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font><font size="2" face="serif">James
        R. Tobin</font><br>
              <hr noshade size="1">
    </td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td><font size="2" face="serif">Director</font></td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td><font size="2" face="serif">October 29, 2004</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td><font size="2" face="serif">James R. Tobin</font></td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
</table>
<p align="center">&nbsp;</p>
<hr noshade align="center" width="100%" size="2">
<div style="page-break-before:always"></div>
<page>
<a name="p5"></a>
<p><a href="#contents"><font size="2">Back to Contents</font></a></p>
<p align="center"><font size="2" face="serif"><b>EXHIBIT INDEX</b></font></p>
<table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
  <tr valign="top">
    <td><font size="2" face="serif"><b><u>Exhibit No.</u></b></font></td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif"><b><u>Description</u></b></font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr valign="top">
<td width="15%"><font size="2" face="serif">Exhibit 5</font></td>
<td width="2%"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">             Opinion of Thomas P.
    Livingston, Esq. (including consent).</font></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
  <td>&nbsp;</td>
  <td>&nbsp;</td>
  <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td><font size="2" face="serif">Exhibit 23.1</font></td>
<td><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">      Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers
    LLP.</font></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
  <td>&nbsp;</td>
  <td>&nbsp;</td>
  <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td><font size="2" face="serif">Exhibit 23.2</font></td>
<td><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">      Consent of Thomas P. Livingston,
    Esq. (included in Exhibit 5).</font></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
  <td>&nbsp;</td>
  <td>&nbsp;</td>
  <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td><font size="2" face="serif">Exhibit 24</font></td>
<td><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">        Power of Attorney (contained
    on the signature pages hereof).</font></td>
</tr>
</table>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">
</font></p>
<p align="center">&nbsp;</p>
<hr noshade align="center" width="100%" size="2">
</body>
</html>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "APPLERA CORP", "cik": "0000077551", "assigned-sic": "3826", "irs-number": "061534213", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "0630"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-120085", "film-number": "041106755"}, "business-address": {"street1": "301 MERRITT 7", "city": "NORWALK", "state": "CT", "zip": "06851", "phone": "2038402000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "301 MERRITT 7", "city": "NORWALK", "state": "CT", "zip": "06851"}, "former-company": [{"former-conformed-name": "PE CORP", "date-changed": "19990129"}, {"former-conformed-name": "PERKIN ELMER CORP", "date-changed": "19930601"}]}
Prepared and filed by St Ives Burrups
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
APPLERA CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware
06-1534213
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
    or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification
        Number)
301 MERRITT 7
NORWALK, CONNECTICUT  06851-1070
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)
APPLERA CORPORATION/APPLIED BIOSYSTEMS GROUP
AMENDED AND RESTATED 1999 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
(Full Title of the Plan)
WILLIAM B. SAWCH
Senior Vice President and General Counsel
APPLERA CORPORATION
301 Merritt 7
Norwalk, Connecticut 06851-1070
(203) 840-2000
(Name, Address, and Telephone Number of Agent for Service)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered
Amount to be
Registered (1)(2)
Proposed Maximum
Offering Price Per
Share (3)
Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price (3)
Amount of
Registration Fee
Applera
      Corporation – Applied Biosystems Group
Common Stock, par value $.01
      per share (2)
4,000,000
$18.58
$74,320,000
$9,416.34
1.
Together with an indeterminate
number of additional shares that may be issued to adjust the number of shares
reserved for issuance pursuant to the Applera Corporation/Applied Biosystems
Group Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan as the result of any future
stock
split,
stock
dividend, or similar adjustment to the Applera Corporation – Applied Biosystems
 Group Common Stock (the "Applera — Applied Biosystems Stock").
2.
This Registration Statement also
    includes rights to purchase Series A Participating Junior Preferred Stock,
    par value $.01 per share, of the Registrant (the "Rights").  Until the occurrence of certain prescribed events, the Rights are not exercisable, are evidenced by the certificates for Applera – Applied Biosystems Stock, and will be transferred along with and only with such securities.  Thereafter, separate Rights certificates will be issued representing one Right for each share of Applera – Applied Biosystems Stock held, subject to
 adjustment pursuant to anti-dilution provisions.
3.
Pursuant to Rule 457(h)(1) and Rule
    457(c), the proposed maximum  offering price per share and the registration
    fee are based on the reported average of
the high and low prices for the Applera – Applied Biosystems Stock on the
New York Stock Exchange on October 25, 2004. The maximum offering price per share
is estimated
solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee.
Back to Contents
The contents of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed by Applera Corporation (formerly PE Corporation) (the "Company") (File No. 333-82679) on July 12, 1999, with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are hereby incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 5.   Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Legal matters in connection with the shares of Applera – Applied Biosystems Stock subject to issuance pursuant to the Applera Corporation/Applied Biosystems Group Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan have been passed upon by Thomas P. Livingston, Esq., Vice President and Secretary of the Company.  Mr. Livingston owns Applera – Applied Biosystems Stock and options to purchase Applera – Applied Biosystems Stock with an aggregate value in excess of $50,000.
Item 8.   Exhibits.
The following exhibits are filed as part
of this Registration Statement:
Exhibit 3.1
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Applera Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2000 (Commission file No. 1-4389)).
Exhibit 3.2
By-laws of Applera Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-67797)).
Exhibit 3.3
Certificate of Designations of Series A Participating Junior Preferred Stock and Series B Participating Junior Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-67797)).
Exhibit 4.1
Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement
    dated as of April 28, 1999, between the Company and BankBoston N.A.
    (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Registration
    Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-67797)).
Exhibit 4.2
Amendment to Rights Agreement dated as of April 17, 2002, among BankBoston, N.A., EquiServe Trust Company, N.A., and the Company
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2002 (Commission file number 1-4389)).
2
Back to Contents
Exhibit 5
Opinion of Thomas P. Livingston, Esq. (including consent).
Exhibit 10.1
Applera Corporation/Applied Biosystems
    Group Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan, effective as of October
    21, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Annex B to Schedule 14A, filed September
    17, 2004, containing the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for its
    2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (Commission file number 1-4389)).
Exhibit 23.1
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
Exhibit 23.2
Consent of Thomas P. Livingston, Esq. (included in Exhibit 5).
Exhibit 24
Power of Attorney (contained on the signature pages hereof).
3
Back to Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
    to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Company certifies
    that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements
    for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to
    be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in
the City of Norwalk, State of Connecticut, on October 29, 2004.
APPLERA CORPORATION
By:
/s/ William B. Sawch
William B. Sawch
Senior Vice President and
General Counsel
POWER OF ATTORNEY
We, the undersigned directors and officers of the Company, do hereby constitute and appoint Dennis L. Winger and William B. Sawch, or either of them, our true and lawful attorneys and agents, to do any and all acts and things in our name and on our behalf in our capacities as directors and officers and to execute any and all instruments for us and in our names in the capacities indicated below, which said attorneys and agents, or either of them, may deem necessary or advisable to enable said corporation to comply with the Securities Act of 1933 and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in connection with this Registration Statement, including specifically, but without
limitation, power and authority to sign for us or any of us in our names in the capacities indicated below, any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) hereto and we do hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys and agents, or either of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
/s/ Tony L. White
Chairman
        of the Board,
President and
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
October 29, 2004
Tony L. White
4
/
s
/
Dennis
        L. Winger
Senior Vice President
        and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
October 29, 2004
Dennis L. Winger
/
s
/
Ugo
        D. DeBlasi
Controller
October 29, 2004
Ugo D. DeBlasi
(Principal
        Accounting Officer)
/
s
/
Richard
        H. Ayers
Director
October 29, 2004
Richard H. Ayers
/
s
/
Jean-Luc Bélingard
Director
October 29, 2004
Jean-Luc Bélingard
/
s
/
Robert
        H. Hayes
Director
October 29, 2004
Robert H. Hayes
/
s
/
Arnold
        J. Levine
Director
October 29, 2004
Arnold J. Levine
/
s
/
William
        H. Longfield
Director
October 29, 2004
William
        H. Longfield
/
s
/
Theodore
        E. Martin
Director
October 29, 2004
Theodore E. Martin
/
s
/
Carolyn
        W. Slayman
Director
October 29, 2004
Carolyn W. Slayman
/s/
Orin
        R. Smith
Director
October 29, 2004
Orin R. Smith
/
s
/
James
        R. Tobin
Director
October 29, 2004
James R. Tobin
Back to Contents
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
Exhibit 5
Opinion of Thomas P.
    Livingston, Esq. (including consent).
Exhibit 23.1
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers
    LLP.
Exhibit 23.2
Consent of Thomas P. Livingston,
    Esq. (included in Exhibit 5).
Exhibit 24
Power of Attorney (contained
    on the signature pages hereof).