The HeLa cell line, derived from cervical cancer cells taken from Henrietta Lacks in 1951, is considered immortal. This is because these cells can divide indefinitely in a laboratory setting, unlike normal human cells which have a finite lifespan. HeLa cells have been instrumental in numerous scientific breakthroughs, including the development of the polio vaccine and research on cloning, gene mapping, and in vitro fertilization.
HeLa cells achieve immortality through a process known as telomere maintenance. Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that shorten with each cell division. Eventually, telomeres become too short, triggering cell senescence (aging) and eventually death. However, cancer cells, including HeLa cells, can evade this process by expressing an enzyme called telomerase, which replenishes the telomeres, allowing them to divide indefinitely.
While HeLa cells are considered immortal in the context of laboratory culture, they are not truly immortal in the biological sense. This is because they are still susceptible to environmental factors, mutations, and other cellular processes that can ultimately lead to their demise.
