1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Experts" and
"Selected Supplemental Historical Consolidated Financial Data for Aurora" and
to the use of our report dated February 10, 2000, except for note 11, as to
which the date is October 4, 2000, with respect to the supplemental
consolidated financial statements and of our report dated February 10, 2000
with respect to the historical financial statements in the Registration
Statement on Form S-4 of Aurora Biosciences Corporation to be filed on or about
January 29, 2001.

                                        ERNST & YOUNG LLP

San Diego, California
January 26, 2001