mrs. henrietta lacks and her cells (hela) scientific and sociological overview
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Mrs. Henrietta Lacks
And Her Cells (HeLa)
Scientific and Sociological Overview
Cell “Refresher”
Potter, JJ, HeLa Cells (Differential Interference Contrast Microscopy)
The cell is the basic unit of
life
Cell Membrane
Nucleus
Nucleolus
Mitochondrion
Golgi
Rough ER
Smooth ER
Lysosome
Vacuole
The Nucleus contains the cell’s genetic material (genome)
Genetic material in the form of DNA Molecules are organized into structures called chromosomes
HeLa cells stained withHoechst dye for DNA
White cellRed Cells
Neural Cells
Skin Fibroblast
Kidney Cells
Fat Cells
Liver Hepatocytes
Liver Stellate Cell
There are more than 200 different types of cells in your
body
Figure 1. Purves et al., Life: The Science of Biology, 4th Edition, Sinauer Associates
Cells are Organized into TissuesMultiple Tissues form Organs
How Many Bricks are in The ESB?
There are
10 Million bricks in
The
Empire State Building
How Many Cells are in your Body?
More Than 10 Trillion !!!
= 1 million Empire
State Buildings
•Tissue culture is the growth of tissues and/or cells under artificial conditions
•Henrietta Lacks’ cells were named He La cells
•HeLa cells were the 1st to be kept alive outside of the body
What do scientists do with cells?
HeLa Cells - The first immortal human cell line
HeLa Cells – The Launchpad for Advances in Biomedical Research
Vaccines (Polio, HPV, Etc)
Virology (HIV, HPV-18)
Recombinant Protein Production (Insulin)
Insulin Receptor
Cancer Research
Genomics / Epigenetics
Molecular and Cellular Biology
Tissue Culture
Drug Discovery
Microscopy
Controversy Surrounding HeLa• Full Disclosure of Research Intentions
• Privacy Issues
• Social Justice issues
• Ownership Issues
• Historical African American distrust of medical research based on past injustice
To Learn More
(2) The book by Rebecca Skloot http://www.amazon.com/Immortal-Life-Henrietta-Lacks/dp/1400052173
(1) NPR “Fresh Air” Interview - Listen online at:http://www.npr.org/2011/03/18/134622044/tracing-the-immortal-cells-of-henrietta-lacks
(3) Consider contributing to the Henrietta Lacks Foundationhttp://www.henriettalacksfoundation.org/
(4) Attend 2nd annual Henrietta Lacks recognition event, tentatively Oct 1 2011 in Turner Auditorium.