International Scientific Experts to Discuss Human TSE Strains MARNES-LA-COQUETTE, France, Nov. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (AMEX: BIO; BIOb), a multinational manufacturer and distributor of life science research products and clinical diagnostics, announced today that it will host its fifth international conference on Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) on November 30, 2005 in Paris, France. "For the past four years, this conference has provided a valuable forum in which the world's leading scientists, researchers, policy setters and laboratory professionals come together to discuss the latest developments in TSE research," said Brad Crutchfield, Bio-Rad Laboratories Vice President of Life Science. "This year's program will focus on human forms of TSEs and the control of TSEs in small ruminants." Comprehensive Program to Focus on Prion Research, Trends in Therapy, Diagnostics and Human Strains of TSE The conference will open with presentations on the latest advancements in prion research and new trends in TSE diagnostics. Scientific presentations will review current trends in TSE therapy, prion amplification and genotyping human strains of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy. Among the scientific specialists presenting their research will be Dr. Paula Saa (University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA), Dr. Mark W. Head (University of Edinburgh, Scotland) and Dr. Armand Perret Liaudet (Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France). The conference will also feature two panel discussions moderated by Dr. Jacques Grassi from the French Atomic Energy Commission. The first discussion will focus on the topic of genetic selection and control of TSEs in sheep. Dr. Jean-Michel Elsen (French National Institute for Agri-food Research, Toulouse) will provide an overview on genetic selection and review France's efforts to control TSEs in sheep; Dr. Juan-Maria Torres (National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology, Spain) will present his work on immunoassay development for genetic selection, and Dr. Olivier Andreoletti (French National Veterinary School, Toulouse) will discuss the influence of genotype on the pathogenesis of prion diseases in sheep. The second panel discussion will feature Dr. Thierry Baron (French Food Safety Agency, Lyon) and Dr. Jean-Philippe Deslys (French Atomic Energy Commission) who will discuss the latest developments in TSE rapid screening tests and rapid tests for strain typing in small ruminants; Mr. Chris De Smet (Health & Consumer Protection Directorate General, European Commission) will discuss the new European regulation concerning mandatory strain typing testing in Europe. The TSE conference will be held at Equinoxe, located at 20 rue du Colonel Pierre Avia, 75015 Paris from 2:00 - 6:30 p.m. For more information please send an email to: . Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (http://www.bio-rad.com/) is a multinational manufacturer and distributor of life science research products and clinical diagnostics. It is based in Hercules, California, and serves thousands of research and industry customers worldwide through a network of more than 30 wholly owned subsidiary offices. For more than 50 years, Bio-Rad has provided advanced technological solutions to help accelerate the pace of scientific discovery and enhance human health care. Various statements made within this press release may constitute "forward- looking statements" for purposes of the Securities and Exchange Commission's "safe harbor" provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The forward- looking statements contained herein involve risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially from the Company's expectations. DATASOURCE: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. CONTACT: Guillaume Camard, Communications Manager of Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. - France, +33 1 47 95 62 61, or Web site: http://www.bio-rad.com/

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