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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.61

                                SEQUENOM, INC.

                        NOTICE OF GRANT OF STOCK OPTION
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          Notice is hereby given of the following option grant (the "Option") to
purchase shares of the Common Stock of Sequenom, Inc. (the "Corporation"):

          Optionee: __________________________________________________________
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          Grant Date: ________________________________________________________
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          Vesting Commencement Date: _________________________________________
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          Exercise Price: $ _________________________________________ per share
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          Number of Option Shares: _____________________________________ shares
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          Expiration Date: ____________________________________________________
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          Type of Option: _______ Incentive Stock Option
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                          _______ Non-Statutory Stock Option

          Exercise Schedule:  The Option shall become exercisable for twenty-
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          five percent (25%) of the Option Shares upon Optionee's completion of
          one (1) year of Service measured from the Vesting Commencement Date
          and shall become exercisable for the balance of the Option Shares in a
          series of thirty-six (36) successive equal monthly installments upon
          Optionee's completion of each additional month of Service over the
          thirty-six (36) month period measured from the first anniversary of
          the Vesting Commencement Date.  In no event shall the Option become
          exercisable for any additional Option Shares after Optionee's
          cessation of Service.

          Optionee understands and agrees that the Option is granted subject to
and in accordance with the terms of the Sequenom, Inc. 1999 Stock Incentive Plan
(the "Plan").  Optionee further agrees to be bound by the terms of the Plan and
the terms of the Option as set forth in the Stock Option Agreement attached
hereto as Exhibit A.  Optionee hereby acknowledges the receipt of a copy of the
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official prospectus for the Plan in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B. A
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copy of the Plan is available upon request made to the Corporate Secretary at
the Corporation's principal offices.
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          Employment at Will.  Nothing in this Notice or in the attached Stock
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Option Agreement or in the Plan shall confer upon Optionee any right to continue
in Service for any period of specific duration or interfere with or otherwise
restrict in any way the rights of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary
employing or retaining Optionee) or of Optionee, which rights are hereby
expressly reserved by each, to terminate Optionee's Service at any time for any
reason, with or without cause.

          Definitions.  All capitalized terms in this Notice shall have the
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meaning assigned to them in this Notice or in the attached Stock Option
Agreement.

DATED:_________________________

                                       SEQUENOM, INC.

                                       By: _____________________________

                                       Title: __________________________



                                       _________________________________
                                                     OPTIONEE

                                       Address: ________________________

                                       _________________________________


ATTACHMENTS
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Exhibit A - Stock Option Agreement
Exhibit B - Plan Summary and Prospectus

                                       2
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                                   EXHIBIT A
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                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
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                                   EXHIBIT B
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                          PLAN SUMMARY AND PROSPECTUS