UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D. C. 20549
                                   ___________


                                    FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT

     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934



                                December 12, 2001
                Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)



                               APPLERA CORPORATION
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)


          Delaware                     1-4389                06-1534213
 (State or Other Jurisdiction       (Commission            (IRS Employer
      of Incorporation)               File No.)          Identification No.)


                                  301 Merritt 7
                           Norwalk, Connecticut 06851
          (Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)


                                 (203) 840-2000
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)




Item 5.  Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure.

         In a press release dated December 6, 2001 (the "Press Release"),
Applera Corporation ("Applera") announced that it would webcast a meeting with
the investment community on Wednesday, December 12, 2001 (the "Investor
Meeting") to discuss Applera's Celera Genomics Group and Celera Diagnostics, a
joint venture between Applera's Celera Genomics and Applied Biosystems groups.

         Attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein is
the text of the Press Release, and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 and
incorporated by reference herein is the text of the presentations intended to be
made by Applera at the Investor Meeting.


Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

         (c) Exhibits.

         The following exhibits are filed with this Report:

          Exhibit No.                           Description

              99.1                   Press Release issued December 6, 2001
                                     with respect to the Investor Meeting.

              99.2                   Text of presentations intended to be made
                                     at the Investor Meeting.




                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                              APPLERA CORPORATION


                                              By:/s/ Thomas P. Livingston
                                                 --------------------------
                                                 Thomas P. Livingston
                                                 Secretary








Dated:  December 12, 2001


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


           Exhibit No.                           Description

              99.1                   Press Release issued December 6, 2001
                                     with respect to the Investor Meeting.

              99.2                   Text of presentations intended to be made
                                     at the Investor Meeting.