False-coloured scanning electron micrograph of two HeLa cells. Long projections (filopodia) extend out from both cells and are used to explore the cell's immediate environment. HeLa cells are an ...

In 1951, Henrietta Lacks, a young black woman from Baltimore, died of cancer ... human cell line' and have helped both save and create millions of lives ever since. Video by Dan John Animation ...

This research field was to change forever when, in 1951, the cells taken from a cancer biopsy survived in ... have learnt ways to 'make' normal cells immortal, but HeLa remain unique in many ...