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Prepared and filed by St Ives Burrups
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    <td><div align="right"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>Registration
    No. 333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</b></font></div></td>
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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><div align="center"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif"><b>Delaware<br>
      </b>(State or Other Jurisdiction of&nbsp;<b> <br>
    </b>&nbsp;&nbsp;Incorporation or Organization)&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>        </b></font></div></td>
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    <td width="33%"><div align="center"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif"><b>06-1534213<br>
      </b>&nbsp;(I.R.S.
  Employer<b> <br>
  </b> Identification
  Number)<b></b></font></div></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>
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<p align="center"><b><font face="serif" size="3">APPLERA CORPORATION<br>
</font></b><b><font face="serif" size="3">1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE 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">Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered</font></font></td>
<td width="14%" align="center" valign="bottom"><font size="2" face="serif"><font face="serif" size="1">  Amount to be</font></font><br><font size="2" face="serif"><font face="serif" size="1"> Registered (1)(2)(3)</font></font></td>
<td width="14%" align="center" valign="bottom"><font size="2" face="serif"><font face="serif" size="1"> Proposed                                  Maximum</font></font><br>  <font size="2" face="serif"><font face="serif" size="1">Offering Price Per </font></font><br><font size="2" face="serif"><font face="serif" size="1">Share (4)</font></font></td>
<td width="14%" align="center" valign="bottom"><font size="2" face="serif"><font face="serif" size="1">Proposed Maximum</font></font><br><font size="2" face="serif"><font face="serif" size="1">Aggregate Offering</font></font><br><font size="2" face="serif"><font face="serif" size="1">Price (4)</font></font></td>
<td width="14%" align="center" valign="bottom"><font size="2" face="serif"><font face="serif" size="1">Amount of </font></font><br><font size="2" face="serif"><font face="serif" size="1">Registration Fee</font></font></td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">  Applera Corporation &#150; Applied Biosystems Group Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (2)</font></td>
<td align="right"><div align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">1,000,000</font></div></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">$18.58</font></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">$18,580,000</font></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">$2,354.09</font></td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif"> Applera Corporation &#150; Celera Genomics Group Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (3)</font></td>
<td align="right"><div align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">1,500,000</font></div></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">$12.00</font></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">$18,000,000</font></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">$2,280.60</font></td>
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1.</font></td>
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<font size="2" face="serif"> 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 1999 Employee Stock Purchase 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 &#150; Applied
Biosystems Stock&#148;) or the Applera Corporation &#150; Celera Genomics Group Common Stock (the &#147;Applera &#150; Celera Stock&#148;).
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2.</font></td>
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<font size="2" face="serif"> This Registration Statement also includes rights
to purchase Series A Participating Junior Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per
share, of the Registrant (the &#147;Series
A Rights&#148;). Until the occurrence of certain prescribed events, the Series A 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 Series A Rights certificates will be issued representing one Series A Right for each share of Applera &#150; Applied Biosystems Stock held, subject to adjustment pursuant to anti-dilution provisions.
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3.</font></td>
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<font size="2" face="serif"> This Registration Statement also includes rights
to purchase Series B Participating Junior Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per
share, of the Registrant (the &#147;Series
B Rights&#148;). Until the occurrence of certain prescribed events, the Series B Rights
are not exercisable, are evidenced by the certificates for Applera &#150; Celera Stock, and will be transferred along with and only with such securities.  Thereafter, separate Series B Rights certificates will be issued representing one Series B Right for each share of Applera &#150; Celera Stock held, subject to adjustment pursuant to anti-dilution provisions.
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4.</font></td>
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<font size="2" face="serif"> 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 and Applera &#150; Celera 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.
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<div style="text-indent: 3%"><font size="2" face="serif">The contents of the
    Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed by Applera Corporation (formerly
    PE Corporation) (the &#147;Company&#148;) (File No. 333-91771) on November
    30, 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></div>
<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.  Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</b></font></p>
<div style="text-indent: 3%"><font size="2" face="serif">Legal matters in connection
    with the shares of Applera &#150; Applied Biosystems Stock and Applera &#150; Celera
    Stock subject to issuance pursuant to the Applera Corporation 1999 Employee
    Stock Purchase 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 Applera &#150; Celera Stock and options to purchase
    Applera &#150; Applied Biosystems Stock and Applera &#150; Celera Stock with
    an aggregate value in excess of $50,000.</font></div>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif"><b>Item 8.  Exhibits.</b></font></p>
<div style="text-indent: 3%"><font size="2" face="serif">The following exhibits
    are filed as part of this Registration Statement:</font></div>
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<td align="left" width="12%"><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">&nbsp;</p>
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<p align="center">&nbsp;</p>
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    <td 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 1999 Employee
        Stock Purchase Plan, as amended October 21, 2004 (incorporated by reference
        to Annex A 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">&nbsp;</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">2</font></p>
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<p align="center"><font size="2" face="serif"><b>SIGNATURES</b></font></p>
<div style="text-indent: 3%">
  <p><font size="2" face="serif">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>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 60%"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">APPLERA CORPORATION
    </font>
  <p></p>
    <p align="left"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">By: <u>/s/ William B. Sawch&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</u></font><br>
      <font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;William B. Sawch</font><br>
      <font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Senior
      Vice President and <br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;General Counsel</font></p>
</div>
<p align="center"><font size="2" face="serif"><b>POWER OF ATTORNEY</b></font></p>
<div style="text-indent: 3%">
  <p><font size="2" face="serif">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><font size="2" face="serif">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></div>
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      <td><font size="2" face="serif">/s/ Tony L. White</font>
          <hr noshade size="1">
      </td>
      <td width="3%">&nbsp;</td>
      <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">&nbsp;</p>
  <p align="center"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">3</font></p>
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<p><font size="2"> </font>
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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>
    <td width="3%">&nbsp;</td>
    <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>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
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    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</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>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <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>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
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    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</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">Richard
        H. Ayers</font><br>
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    </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>
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    <td><font size="2" face="serif">Richard H. Ayers</font></td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
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    <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>
    <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>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
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    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</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">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>
    <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">Arnold
        J. Levine</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">Arnold J. Levine</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;William
        H. Longfield</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">&nbsp;</font><font size="2" face="serif">William
        H. Longfield</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">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">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"><font face="serif" size="2">4</font></p>
<hr noshade align="center" width="100%" size="2">
<div style="page-break-before:always"></div>
<page>


<p align="center"><font size="2" face="serif"><b>EXHIBIT INDEX</b></font></p>
<table width="100%" align="center" border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0>
  <tr>
    <td><font size="2" face="serif"><b><u>Exhibit No.</u></b></font><font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td width="84%" align="center"><font size="2" face="serif"><b><u>Description</u></b></font><font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td><font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">Exhibit 5</font></td>
    <td><font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">Opinion of Thomas P. Livingston, Esq. (including consent).</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td><font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td><font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td><font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">Exhibit 23.1</font></td>
    <td><font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td><font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td><font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td><font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">Exhibit 23.2</font></td>
    <td><font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">Consent of Thomas P. Livingston, Esq. (included in
        Exhibit 5).</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td><font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td><font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td><font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">Exhibit 24</font></td>
    <td><font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">Power of Attorney
        (contained on the signature pages hereof).</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td><font size="2" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
</table>
<p align="left">&nbsp;</p>
<hr noshade align="center" width="100%" size="2">
</body>
</html>
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "b401869_s8.htm", "description": "SECURITIES TO BE OFFERED TO EMPLOYEES", "secsgml_size_bytes": 29477}]
{"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": "333-120084", "film-number": "041106749"}, "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
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
06-1534213
(I.R.S.
  Employer
Identification
  Number)
301 MERRITT 7
NORWALK, CONNECTICUT  06851-1070
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)
APPLERA CORPORATION
1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE 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)(3)
Proposed                                  Maximum
Offering Price Per
Share (4)
Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price (4)
Amount of
Registration Fee
Applera Corporation – Applied Biosystems Group Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (2)
1,000,000
$18.58
$18,580,000
$2,354.09
Applera Corporation – Celera Genomics Group Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (3)
1,500,000
$12.00
$18,000,000
$2,280.60
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 1999 Employee Stock Purchase 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") or the Applera Corporation – Celera Genomics Group Common Stock (the "Applera – Celera 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 "Series
A Rights"). Until the occurrence of certain prescribed events, the Series A 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 Series A Rights certificates will be issued representing one Series A Right for each share of Applera – Applied Biosystems Stock held, subject to adjustment pursuant to anti-dilution provisions.
3.
This Registration Statement also includes rights
to purchase Series B Participating Junior Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per
share, of the Registrant (the "Series
B Rights"). Until the occurrence of certain prescribed events, the Series B Rights
are not exercisable, are evidenced by the certificates for Applera – Celera Stock, and will be transferred along with and only with such securities.  Thereafter, separate Series B Rights certificates will be issued representing one Series B Right for each share of Applera – Celera Stock held, subject to adjustment pursuant to anti-dilution provisions.
4.
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 and Applera – Celera 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.
The contents of the
    Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed by Applera Corporation (formerly
    PE Corporation) (the "Company") (File No. 333-91771) on November
    30, 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 and Applera – Celera
    Stock subject to issuance pursuant to the Applera Corporation 1999 Employee
    Stock Purchase 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 Applera – Celera Stock and options to purchase
    Applera – Applied Biosystems Stock and Applera – Celera 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)).
Exhibit 5
Opinion of Thomas P. Livingston,
        Esq. (including consent).
Exhibit 10.1
Applera Corporation 1999 Employee
        Stock Purchase Plan, as amended October 21, 2004 (incorporated by reference
        to Annex A 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).
2
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
3
/
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
4
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).