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.   Cytion S.A., a corporation organized under the Laws of Switzerland.*

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

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