Immortal Cells Turn 96

Henrietta Lacks, a poor tobacco farmer, unknowingly contributed to one of the greatest medical breakthroughs. Her cells, known as HeLa cells, were taken without consent in 1951 and became the first immortal cell line. These cells have been crucial in scientific research, aiding in the development of vaccines and treatments for various diseases. Despite their cancerous nature, HeLa cells behave like normal cells, making them invaluable for studying viruses and other biological processes. In 2013, researchers discovered that a part of the HPV genome combined with Lacks's genome, explaining the cells' unique properties.

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