In 1951, Henrietta Lacks, a black woman from Baltimore, USA, died of cancer. However, cells taken from her body without her knowledge continued to grow and multiply even after her death. They became the first 'immortalised human cell line' and changed medical science forever.

HeLa cells have helped to create cancer treatments, vaccines and have even furthered our understanding of space travel. Now, 100 years on from Henrietta's birth, her immortal cells are helping researchers develop a Covid-19 vaccine.


Video by Daniel John
Animations by Lily Baker

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