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The mysterious origins of HEK 293 cells: Why do they cause such a stir in the scientific community?
In the long history of human medical research, HEK 293 cells are undoubtedly one of the most striking discoveries. These cells originated from the human embryonic kidney of a female fetus in the 1970s and have become one of the most widely used cell lines in the scientific community. HEK 293 cells have become an essential tool for the biotechnology industry to solve various challenges due to their rapid growth and continuous proliferation characteristics, as well as their efficiency in gene transfection.
Historical BackgroundThe rapid growth and ease of transfection of HEK 293 cells make them indispensable in gene expression, protein production, and biomedical research.
HEK 293 cells were first generated in 1973 in the laboratory of Alex van der Abbe at Leiden University in the Netherlands. At that time, they transfected normal human embryonic kidney cells with sheared adenovirus 5 DNA to obtain this cell line. It is worth noting that these cells ultimately came from a qualified fetus, and their specific source has not yet been determined.
The name HEK comes from the abbreviation of "human embryonic kidney", and "293" comes from the fact that scientist Frank Graham marked it as the 293th experiment in his experimental numbering.
HEK 293 cells have demonstrated their versatility and flexibility over time. From gene therapy to drug testing, the applications of these cells are expanding. The researchers found that HEK 293 cells have a transfection efficiency of up to 100%, making them ideal for gene cloning and virus production.
HEK 293 variantsSeveral variants of HEK 293 cells have been derived, including HEK 293T cells. At Stanford University, Michel Carlos created 293T cells, a cell line stably transfected with HEK 293 cells. This cell line acquires the expression of the SV40 large T antigen, allowing plasmids carrying the SV40 replication origin to replicate in 293T cells, which is extremely valuable in biomedical research.
293T cells make it possible to transfect plasmids with high copy numbers, thus significantly increasing the production of recombinant proteins or retroviruses.
Application Scope
The application of HEK 293 cells has penetrated almost every corner of biomedical research, and its rich adaptability makes it an ideal model for drug testing and gene expression. For example, researchers can use HEK 293 cells to explore the effects of drugs on sodium channels, analyze the functions of different gene variants, and examine interactions between proteins.The flexibility of these cells makes them ideal hosts for the production of different retroviruses.
With the development of science and technology, HEK 293 cells adapted to the ability to grow in a suspension environment in 1985, which helped to increase the yield of recombinant adenovirus vectors. In addition, HEK 293 cells can also be used to propagate viral vectors that lack key genes, which can create new gene delivery tools while effectively reducing the risks to experimenters.
Bioethical considerations
The origin of HEK 293 cells raises many ethical issues. Many experts say that while the origin of the original cells remains uncertain, most believe they come from voluntary abortions. This has caused some ethical controversy, especially in the manufacture of vaccines and drugs.
In different crisis situations, such as during a pandemic, religious and ethical communities have different attitudes towards the use of HEK 293 cells, but ultimately hope to strike a balance between technology and ethics.
For example, in December 2020, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith of the Catholic Church announced that vaccines made from fetal-derived cell lines do not have to be avoided in the face of serious illness. This perspective highlights the urgent need for public health in the face of a serious health crisis.
In summary, HEK 293 cells have a wide range of versatility and applications, but the ethical issues raised by the source and use of these cells are also worthy of our in-depth consideration. When technology meets ethics, how will we face these challenges?
