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                                                                    EXHIBIT 21.1



                         SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT

1.      Molecular Devices GmbH, a corporation organized under the Laws of
        Germany.*

2.      Molecular Devices Ltd., a corporation organized under the Laws of
        England and Wales.*

3.      Molecular Devices Skatron, a corporation organized under the Laws of
        Norway.*

4.      Nihon Molecular Devices, a corporation organized under the Laws of
        Japan.*

5.      LJL BioSystems, a corporation organized under the Laws of Delaware.*

6.      LJL BioSystems, Ltd., a corporation organized under the Laws of England
        and Wales.*