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.

8.   Universal Imaging Corporation, a corporation organized under the Laws of
     Pennsylvania.