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                       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

        Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 13, 2000



                          MOLECULAR DEVICES CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                                    DELAWARE
                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)





            0-27316                                    94-2914362
     (Commission File No.)                 (IRS Employer Identification No.)



                               1311 ORLEANS DRIVE
                           SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA 94089
              (Address of principal executive offices and zip code)




       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (408) 747-1700




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ITEM 7.  EXHIBITS.

        99.1    Press Release, dated as of April 13, 2000 entitled "Molecular
                Devices Reports Record Revenues and Earnings for First Quarter
                2000."


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                                    SIGNATURE

        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, thereunto duly authorized.


                                           MOLECULAR DEVICES CORPORATION



Dated:  April 14, 2000                     By: /s/ Timothy A. Harkness
                                              ---------------------------------
                                              TIMOTHY A. HARKNESS
                                              VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE AND
                                              CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER


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                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS



        99.1    Press Release, dated as of April 13, 2000 entitled "Molecular
                Devices Reports Record Revenues and Earnings for First Quarter
                2000."

                                       3.