Exhibit 99.12

                         CONSENT OF PROSPECTIVE DIRECTOR

      The undersigned hereby consents to the references made to him in the
Registration Statement of Lynx Therapeutics, Inc. on Form S-4 and the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus contained therein (the "Registration Statement") as a
person who will serve as a director of Lynx Therapeutics, Inc. on the first
closing date, as defined in the Registration Statement.

                                                /s/ Mark Carthy
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Mark Carthy