Honoring Henrietta Lacks: The Legacy of HeLa Cells in Biomedical Research

This August, we honor the extraordinary legacy of Henrietta Lacks, whose cervical cancer cells—known to the world as HeLa—became the foundation of modern biomedical research. Isolated in 1951 without her consent, HeLa cells were the first human cells to proliferate indefinitely in vitro. This breakthrough forever transformed modern biology, enabling advances in cancer research, virology, vaccine development, and drug discovery.

Over the decades, HeLa cells have played a pivotal role in the development of the polio vaccine, cancer therapeutics, HPV research, and CRISPR gene-editing technologies. Their immortality, genetic stability, and adaptability have made them indispensable tools in laboratories around the world.

At AcceGen, we continue this legacy by offering high-quality, authenticated HeLa cell lines optimized for consistent performance and reproducible results. Our HeLa (Human Cervical Cancer Epithelial Cells) are mycoplasma-free and STR-profiled, ensuring biosafety and experimental integrity for cancer research, gene expression analysis, and cytotoxicity testing.

In addition to the standard HeLa line, AcceGen provides several related cancer research tools, including:

·HeLa (Cat# ABC-TC0354): A classic, contamination-free line ideal for cancer biology, gene expression, and cytotoxicity testing.

·HeLa B (Cat# ABC-TC0356): A derivative cell line ideal for comparative studies and assay reproducibility.

·Human AP-1 Luciferase Reporter Cell Line-HeLa (Cat# ABC-RC0004): Engineered to report AP-1 transcriptional activity, perfect for studying signal transduction pathways.

·Human p53 Luciferase Reporter Cell Line- HeLa(Cat# ABC-RC0037): HeLa: Designed to monitor p53-dependent transcriptional activation in response to DNA damage or drug treatment.

·Tailored Gene Knockdown Knockout Support: We provide customized knockdown knockout solutions in HeLa and other human cell lines.

As researchers continue to explore cell proliferation, apoptosis, and therapeutic targeting, HeLa cells remain a gold standard—both for their biological utility and their historical significance.

This August, as we honor Henrietta Lacks’enduring legacy, AcceGen is proud to support the next generation of discovery using one of the most important cell lines in history.

Whether you're modeling cancer pathways or screening new compounds, AcceGen’s HeLa cell line and related tools are designed to support high-impact, reproducible science.

Explore our HeLa product page or contact our team for technical support and product recommendations.