Cell Biology Growth and HeLa Cells

Growth of Cell Biology

• Cell biology research experienced rapid growth in the 1950s, paralleling advancements in molecular biology.
• The capability to maintain, grow, and manipulate cells outside living organisms was established.

HeLa Cells

• First continuous cell line cultured in 1951 by George Otto Gey and his team, derived from Henrietta Lacks' cervical cancer cells.
• HeLa cells became a pivotal tool in the study of cell biology, similar to the significance of DNA structure in molecular biology.

Advancements in Cell Study

• The 1960s yielded significant progress, which included:
  • Characterization of minimal media requirements for cell cultures.
  • Development of sterile cell culture techniques.
• Electron microscopy advancements facilitated enhanced cellular study, leading to discoveries like:
  • Transfection methods for introducing nucleic acids into cells.
  • Green fluorescent protein (GFP) from jellyfish, aiding in visualization of cellular processes.
  • Discovery of small interfering RNA (siRNA), crucial for gene regulation studies.

Continued Evolution of Cytology

• The study of cell structure and function is known as cytology.
• Continuous advancements in equipment, such as cytology microscopes and specialized reagents, support research, particularly in clinical applications.

Explore the significant advancements in cell biology from the 1950s onward, including the creation of the first continuous cell line, HeLa cells. Discover how techniques and technologies like electron microscopy and transfection methods revolutionized cellular studies and paved the way for future research.