How do Hela cells keep dividing while other cells die off

 Hela cells are cancer cells and have ability to divide rapidly and indefinitely. This is because they have acquired mutations in their DNA that allow them to evade the normal cellular mechanisms that control cell growth and division. These mutations can affect a variety of different cellular processes, including the ability of cells to respond to growth signals, the ability of cells to repair DNA damage, and the ability of cells to undergo programmed cell death (apoptosis). By disrupting these normal cellular mechanisms, cancer cells are able to divide and grow in an uncontrolled manner, which can lead to the formation of a tumor. As a result, Hela cells are able to keep dividing and reproducing, even when other normal cells in the body would die off. This ability to indefinitely divide is one of the key characteristics of cancer cells, and it is what makes them so difficult to treat.

HeLa cells re capable of undergoing rapid, mitotically-driven cellular division. In order to achieve this, HeLa cells undergo a process known as mitosis. This involves a series of stages which culminate in the separation of the genetic material from the parent cell into two daughter cells.

The first stage of mitosis is known as prophase. During this stage, the genetic material, housed within the nucleus of the HeLa cell, condenses to form a pair of chromosomes. The nuclear membrane also begins to break down.

The second stage is known as metaphase. During this stage, the chromosomes line up at the cell’s equator.

The third stage is anaphase. During this stage, the sister chromatids separate, and are drawn to the cell’s poles.

The fourth stage is telophase. During this stage, the chromosomes reach the cell’s poles, and a new nuclear membrane forms around each daughter cell. The cytoplasm also divides in two, allowing the two daughter cells to separate.

Finally, cytokinesis occurs. During this stage, the cytoplasm divides, and a cleavage furrow forms between the two daughter cells. This cleavage furrow then deepens until the two daughter cells have been completely separated.

Overall, HeLa cells divide by undergoing the process of mitosis. This involves four stages; prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase. The process is completed by cytokinesis, where the cleavage furrow between the daughter cells deepens until the two cells are completely separated.

How long can Hela cells be stored

Hela cells are an incredibly important part of modern scientific research. They are a type of immortal cell line derived from a cervical cancer tumour found in a woman named Henrietta Lacks in 1951. This discovery revolutionized the field of biology and has since become a staple of medical research.

Hela cells are a type of immortal cell line, meaning that they can theoretically be stored and cultured indefinitely. In practice, Hela cells can be stored for years in a state of suspended animation without loss of potency or quality. This makes them an ideal resource for research, as they are convenient to keep and do not require frequent re-culturing or other maintenance. The use of Hela cells in research has made a significant impact on biomedical science, leading to the development of treatments for diseases and cancers, the development of better medical diagnostics, and the advancement of our understanding of human biology and genetics. In addition, Hela cells can be used to study many aspects of cell physiology, including growth and division, cell metabolism, and gene expression.

Hela cells can be stored in the form of frozen cell stocks, or in a liquid nitrogen tank at subzero temperatures. The cells can also be cryopreserved in a medium of glycerol and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at -80°C. Frozen stocks of Hela cells can be maintained at -70°C or -80°C for up to 10 years, and longer if properly maintained. Cells in liquid nitrogen tanks can be stored for up to 15 years.

Hela cells stored in culture dishes at 37°C and in a 5-10% carbon dioxide atmosphere can remain viable for weeks or even months. However, this method is less reliable than the other methods, as it is more prone to environmental contamination or other errors.

The longevity of Hela cells is a testament to their amazing utility in scientific research. Hela cells can be used to study a variety of topics, from cancer research to infectious diseases. They are a key component of research in many areas of medicine and biology, and their long-term storage capabilities make them a valuable resource.

The use of Hela cells in research has been made possible because of their unique ability to survive and remain healthy in laboratory culture. Hela cells can be frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen, and remain viable even after decades of storage. This means that they can be used again and again for research, reducing the need to obtain new cells each time.

In addition to their unique properties, Hela cells are incredibly useful for research because they can be manipulated in the laboratory in order to study the behaviour of other cells. By introducing specific genetic modifications or drug treatments, researchers can use Hela cells to study the effects of various treatments on other cells. This can provide valuable insights into diseases, cancer, and other aspects of human biology.

The ability to store Hela cells for future use has been a major advantage in the advancement of medical science. With the ability to store cells for long periods of time, researchers can conduct long-term studies with the same cells, eliminating the need to collect new cells for each experiment. This makes it much easier to follow the progress of a study over time and has enabled researchers to gain deeper insights into the inner workings of cell biology.

In summary, Hela cells are an incredibly important type of cell line used in modern scientific research. They can be frozen and stored for long periods of time, allowing them to be used again and again for research. Their unique properties also make them incredibly useful for studying the behaviour of other cells, enabling researchers to gain deeper insights into the inner workings of cell biology.

Story of HeLa cells

The entire story of Hela cells and the Henrietta Lacks.

Henrietta Lacks: The Miracle Woman

When Henrietta Lacks was diagnosed with cancer in 1951, doctors took her cells and grew them in test tubes. Those cells led to breakthroughs in everything from Parkinson's to polio. But today, Henrietta is all but forgotten. In an excerpt from her book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot tells her story.


In 1951, at the age of 30, Henrietta Lacks, the descendant of freed slaves, was diagnosed with cervical cancer—a strangely aggressive type, unlike any her doctor had ever seen. He took a small tissue sample without her knowledge or consent. A scientist put that sample into a test tube, and, though Henrietta died eight months later, her cells—known worldwide as HeLa—are still alive today. They became the first immortal human cell line ever grown in culture and one of the most important tools in medicine: Research on HeLa was vital to the development of the polio vaccine, as well as drugs for treating herpes, leukemia, influenza, hemophilia, and Parkinson's disease; it helped uncover the secrets of cancer and the effects of the atom bomb, and led to important advances like cloning, in vitro fertilization, and gene mapping. Since 2001 alone, five Nobel Prizes have been awarded for research involving HeLa cells.

Read the rest of the excerpt on Hela cells and Henrietta Lacks.

Where did the Hela cells come from?

HeLa cells are a human epithelial cervical cancer (cervical cancer), and the first human cells, from which a permanent cell line was established. On 9 February 1951, surgeon Lawrence Wharton Jr. removed the tissue from the patient Henrietta Lacks, a 31-year-old African American woman from Baltimore, in the Women's Clinic of the Johns Hopkins Hospital. The cells were from the carcinoma of the cervix and were expected to be examined for malignancy. The patient died 8 months later from the disease. Read More on Hela Cells.