What are the best options for flying from LAX to BWI. How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Baltimore. What amenities does Southwest Airlines offer on this route. How can travelers find the best deals on LAX to BWI flights.
Flight Details: LAX to BWI
Flying from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is a popular route for both business and leisure travelers. Here are the key details about this flight path:
- Average flight time: 5 hours 1 minute
- Distance: 2,329 miles
- Weekly flights: 62 (based on DOT published schedules from June 1-30, 2023)
- Nonstop flights: Available daily, with increased frequency on Sundays
These flights connect the bustling West Coast metropolis of Los Angeles with the historic East Coast region encompassing Baltimore and Washington D.C. The journey covers nearly half the continental United States, offering passengers a comprehensive cross-country experience.
Southwest Airlines: Your LAX to BWI Flight Option
Southwest Airlines is a prominent carrier on the LAX to BWI route, offering competitive fares and a range of customer-friendly policies. Here’s what you need to know about flying Southwest on this route:
Booking and Fare Options
Southwest provides several tools to help passengers find the best fares:
- Low Fare Calendar: Allows flexible travelers to identify the cheapest days to fly within their travel window
- Southwest Vacations: Offers package deals combining flights, hotels, and rental cars
- Transfarency®: Southwest’s commitment to transparent pricing with no hidden fees
As of the time of writing, one-way fares start at $179, subject to availability and restrictions.
Southwest’s Travel Policies
Southwest is known for its customer-friendly policies, including:
- Two free checked bags per passenger (weight and size limits apply)
- No change fees (fare difference may apply)
- Rapid Rewards® points earned on every flight
These policies can result in significant savings for travelers, especially those with luggage or who may need to adjust their plans.
In-Flight Experience on LAX to BWI Routes
The five-hour flight from LAX to BWI offers passengers ample time to enjoy Southwest’s in-flight amenities. What can travelers expect during their journey?
- Wi-Fi: Available for $8 per device, allowing internet access from takeoff to landing
- Free live TV and iHeartRadio: Available on Wi-Fi-enabled aircraft (may be limited on international portions of the flight)
- Refreshments: Southwest offers complimentary non-alcoholic beverages and light snacks
It’s worth noting that while Wi-Fi is available, access to certain high-bandwidth applications and websites may be prohibited to ensure a consistent experience for all passengers.
Travel Tips for LAX to BWI Flights
To ensure a smooth journey from Los Angeles to Baltimore/Washington, consider the following tips:
Infancy Policy
One child over 14 days and under two years of age can travel free of charge when accompanied by an adult (12 years or older), provided they do not occupy a seat. This policy can be a significant cost-saver for families traveling with infants.
Pet Travel
Passengers flying with pets are subject to a pet fare. It’s essential to review Southwest’s pet policy before booking to ensure compliance with all requirements and to understand any associated costs.
Unaccompanied Minors
Minors under 18 are not permitted to fly unaccompanied on international flights or any itinerary that includes an international segment. For domestic flights, Southwest offers an unaccompanied minor service for children aged 5-11 traveling alone.
Exploring Baltimore and Washington D.C.
Upon arrival at BWI, travelers find themselves ideally positioned to explore two of America’s most historically significant cities. What are some must-see attractions in the area?
Baltimore Highlights
- Inner Harbor: Home to the National Aquarium, Maryland Science Center, and numerous restaurants and shops
- Fort McHenry: The birthplace of the U.S. national anthem
- Camden Yards: A historic ballpark, home to the Baltimore Orioles
Washington D.C. Attractions
- National Mall: Home to iconic monuments and museums, including the Lincoln Memorial and Smithsonian Institution
- U.S. Capitol and White House: Centers of American government
- Georgetown: Historic neighborhood known for its charming streets and upscale shopping
Both cities offer a rich tapestry of American history, culture, and cuisine, making the LAX to BWI route a gateway to unforgettable experiences on the East Coast.
Maximizing Your LAX to BWI Travel Experience
To get the most out of your journey from Los Angeles to Baltimore/Washington, consider these strategies:
Timing Your Trip
The best time to visit the Baltimore/Washington area depends on your preferences:
- Spring (March to May): Cherry blossom season, mild weather, fewer crowds
- Summer (June to August): Warm weather, outdoor events, but higher tourist numbers
- Fall (September to November): Comfortable temperatures, beautiful foliage, reduced crowds
- Winter (December to February): Potential for snow, holiday decorations, lower hotel rates
Combining Cities
Given the proximity of Baltimore and Washington D.C., many travelers opt to visit both cities in one trip. How can you make the most of this opportunity?
- Use public transportation: The MARC train offers affordable service between Baltimore and Washington D.C.
- Plan thematic tours: For example, focus on American history sites in both cities
- Allow sufficient time: Aim for at least 5-7 days to explore both cities comfortably
By strategically planning your itinerary, you can experience the unique character of both Baltimore and Washington D.C. without feeling rushed.
Making the Most of Southwest’s Services
Southwest Airlines offers several services that can enhance your LAX to BWI travel experience. How can you leverage these offerings?
Rapid Rewards Program
Southwest’s loyalty program, Rapid Rewards, allows passengers to earn points on every flight. These points can be redeemed for future travel, making it an excellent option for frequent flyers on the LAX to BWI route.
EarlyBird Check-In
For a fee, Southwest’s EarlyBird Check-In service automatically checks you in 36 hours before your flight, potentially securing a better boarding position. This can be particularly valuable on the long LAX to BWI route, where your seat choice can significantly impact your comfort.
Southwest Vacations
If you’re planning a more extended stay in the Baltimore/Washington area, consider booking through Southwest Vacations. This service can offer package deals that combine your flight with hotel accommodations and even rental cars, potentially saving you money and simplifying your travel planning.
Navigating LAX and BWI Airports
Both Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) are major hubs with extensive facilities. How can you navigate these airports efficiently?
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Arrive early: LAX is known for its busy terminals and potential security delays
- Use the LAX-it shuttle: If you’re using a rideshare service upon arrival, this dedicated pickup area helps avoid congestion
- Consider lounge access: For longer layovers, airport lounges can provide a more comfortable waiting experience
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
- Explore ground transportation options: BWI offers light rail service to downtown Baltimore and Washington D.C., as well as numerous bus and shuttle services
- Visit the Observation Gallery: Located pre-security, this area offers views of the airfield and interactive exhibits about aviation
- Use mobile passport control: This app can speed up your entry process if you’re returning from an international connection
By familiarizing yourself with these airports’ layouts and services, you can minimize stress and make your travel experience more enjoyable.
Beyond the Flight: Extending Your East Coast Adventure
While Baltimore and Washington D.C. offer plenty to explore, your arrival at BWI also puts you within reach of other exciting East Coast destinations. How can you extend your trip to experience more of what the region has to offer?
Day Trips from Baltimore/Washington
- Annapolis, Maryland: The state capital, known for its maritime history and the U.S. Naval Academy
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Rich in American history, home to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall
- Gettysburg, Pennsylvania: Site of the pivotal Civil War battle, offering tours and reenactments
Weekend Getaways
- New York City: About 3.5 hours by train from Washington D.C., offering world-class entertainment, dining, and cultural attractions
- Virginia Beach: A popular coastal resort town, about 4 hours drive from Baltimore
- Shenandoah National Park: Beautiful mountain scenery and hiking trails, about 2.5 hours drive from Washington D.C.
By extending your stay and exploring these nearby destinations, you can transform your LAX to BWI flight into a comprehensive East Coast adventure, experiencing the diverse landscapes, cultures, and histories that make this region unique.
Flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Baltimore/Washington (BWI)
Book flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Baltimore/Washington (BWI) with Southwest Airlines®. It’s easy to find the Los Angeles International Airport to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport flight to make your booking and travel a breeze. Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, solo or with the whole family, you’ll enjoy flying Southwest®. Have flexible travel dates? Plug them into the Low Fare Calendar and see the lowest fares available within your travel window. You may also want to browse Southwest Vacations® to see special offers and package deals on flights, hotels, rental cars, and more.
Explore your options and book your Los Angeles (LAX) to Baltimore/Washington (BWI) flight with Southwest today!
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| Departing from | Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) |
|---|---|
| Arriving at | Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) |
| Average flight time | 5 hours 1 minute |
| Distance | 2329 miles |
†Weekly flights based on DOT published scheduled average flights Monday through Sunday between 6/1/2023 and 6/30/2023. Note: route may not operate every day of the week.
‡Nonstop flights based on DOT published scheduled average flights Monday through Sunday between 6/1/2023 and 6/30/2023.
Travel tips
Infancy policy
One child over 14 days and under two (2) years of age, not occupying a seat, may be carried free of charge when traveling with an adult (12 years of age or older).
Learn more.
Pet policy
Customers flying with a pet are subject to a pet fare. To learn more about traveling with your furry friend, explore the Southwest® pet policy.
Unaccompanied minor
Minors under the age of 18 are not permitted to fly unaccompanied on international flights or any itinerary that includes an international flight. Learn more.
The Southwest travel experience
At Southwest, we know it takes more than great deals on Baltimore/Washington (BWI) airfares and convenient scheduling options to make your trip memorable. So from booking to boarding, we offer services and features designed to make your travel from Los Angeles (LAX) to Baltimore/Washington (BWI) the best it can be. Learn more about the Southwest® travel experience before you book your flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
Flying with Southwest is simple and fun, no matter which of our dozens of exciting destinations you choose.
When you search for your next flight to Baltimore/Washington (BWI), know that you won’t be surprised at checkout. Low fares and no hidden fees. That’s Transfarency®. And as always, two bags fly free®1. Want the latest news, information, and promotional offers from Southwest? Sign up to receive email from us. Book your flight today and know that you’ll earn Rapid Rewards® points when you fly.
1First and second checked bags. Weight and size limits apply.
2Fare difference may apply.
3Failure to cancel a reservation at least 10 minutes prior to departure may result in forfeited Travel Funds.
4Flight credits unexpired on or created on or after July 28, 2022, do not expire and will show an expiration date until our systems are updated. See full details here.
5Where available. Available only on WiFi-enabled aircraft. Limited-time offer.
6Due to licensing restrictions, on WiFi-enabled international flights, free live TV and iHeartRadio may not be available for the full duration of flight.
7Internet access for $8 per device from takeoff to landing. Price is subject to change. May not be available for the full duration of flight. In order to provide a top-notch Internet experience, we prohibit access to certain high-bandwidth applications and websites. We also prohibit access to certain obscene or offensive content.
Questions we hear the most
The average flight time from Los Angeles (LAX) to Baltimore/Washington (BWI) is 5 hours 1 minute.
There are 62 weekly flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Baltimore/Washington (BWI) on Southwest Airlines.
Yes, Southwest flies nonstop from Los Angeles (LAX) to Baltimore/Washington (BWI) once per day from Monday through Friday.
Yes, Southwest flies nonstop from Los Angeles (LAX) to Baltimore/Washington (BWI) once per day on Saturdays and 2 times per day on Sundays.
To find the lowest fares by day and time to fly Los Angeles (LAX) to Baltimore/Washington (BWI) with Southwest, check out our Low Fare Calendar.
You can rent a car at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport—book yours with your flight.
Yes! Flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Baltimore/Washington (BWI)—or from here or there to anywhere—can be changed with no change fees. Fare difference may apply.
American Airlines® – Find Los Angeles to Baltimore flights
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HeLa Cell Culture: The Immortal Legacy of Henrietta Lacks
HeLa Cell Culture: The Immortal Legacy of Henrietta Lacks
Website of the publishing house “Media Sfera”
contains materials intended exclusively for healthcare professionals. By closing this message, you confirm that you are a registered medical professional or student of a medical educational institution.
Lyapun I.N.
Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after A.I. G.P. Somov, Vladivostok, Russia
Andryukov B.G.
Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after A.I. G.P. Somov, Vladivostok, Russia, 6
;
Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok, Russia, 6
Bynina M.P.
Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after A.
I. G.P. Somov, Vladivostok, Russia, 6
HeLa cell culture: the immortal legacy of Henrietta Lacks
Authors:
Lyapun I.N., Andryukov B.G., Bynina M.P.
More about the authors
Magazine:
Molecular genetics, microbiology and virology.
2019;37(4): 151-157
DOI:
10.17116/molgen201937041151
How to quote:
Lyapun I.N., Andryukov B.G., Bynina M.P. HeLa Cell Culture: The Immortal Legacy of Henrietta Lacks. Molecular genetics, microbiology and virology.
2019;37(4):151-157.
Lyapun IN, Andryukov BG, Bynina MP. HeLa cell culture: Henrietta Lacks immortal heritage. Molecular Genetics, Microbiology and Virology. 2019;37(4):151-157. (In Russ.)
https://doi.org/10.17116/molgen201937041151
Read metadata
Using cell cultures in laboratory studies, we often do not think about the history of their origin, which is interesting and instructive, and sometimes tragic. In the 1950s, HeLa cell culture unexpectedly came to big science and became one of the most famous.
These cells were taken from a woman named Henrietta Lacks, who had cervical cancer and died shortly thereafter, and the HeLa cell line has proven to be an indispensable tool for generations of scientists around the world in developing new treatments and in biomedical research. research. The uniqueness of these cells lies in their “immortality”, the ability to endlessly divide, unpretentiousness in cultivation and adaptation to conservation conditions, while they remain a simplified imitation of the human body.
Keywords:
cell cultures
HeLa cell line
Henrietta Lacks
molecular genetics
Authors:
Lyapun I.N.
Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after A.I. G.P. Somov, Vladivostok, Russia
Andryukov B.G.
Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after A.I. G.P. Somov, Vladivostok, Russia, 6
;
Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok, Russia, 6
Bynina M.
P.
Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after A.I. G.P. Somov, Vladivostok, Russia, 6
Close metadata
One of the most important achievements of experimental biology of our century was the creation of methods for cultivating animal and plant cells in vitro . Using this method, cells of a wide variety of human tissues can be grown on specially selected nutrient media, like bacteria or other single-celled organisms. Many human cell cultures were originally derived from cancer cells. These cells can divide an unlimited number of times in culture and are therefore called immortal ( immortalitate ). Scientists have long been confident that both in vitro and in vivo can divide indefinitely and normal human cells.
However, in the early 1960s, University of California anatomy professor Leonard Hayflick discovered a limitation in the number of divisions in normal human diploid cells in cell culture: after approximately 50 divisions, signs of aging are detected ( senescence ), and when given the boundary, they perish (“the Hayflick limit”) [1].
This phenomenon strongly depends on the age of the individual to whom such cells originally belonged: newborn cells divided in culture up to 80-90 times, and in a 70-year-old person – only 20-30 times. The number of divisions depends on the length of telomeres – the end sections of chromosomes that perform a protective function. Thus, telomeres not only protect chromosomes from degradation and fusion, but also, depending on their length, determine the potential multiplicity of cell division. The initial length of human telomeric DNA ranges from 2000–20000 base pairs (bp). With each cell division, the telomere length of normal cells is reduced by 50–60 bp. At 191984 Carol Grider isolated an enzyme that synthesizes (lengthens) telomeric DNA. This enzyme was named telomerase. Artificial induction of the gene expression of the catalytic component of telomerase (using genetic engineering methods) makes the cell culture immortal, i.e., capable of dividing indefinitely, thereby canceling the “Hayflick limit” for this culture [2, 3].
Laboratory-grown human cell cultures are often used by scientists to develop new treatments in biomedical research. Among the many cell lines, one of the best known is HeLa, a culture of uterine endothelial cells by Henrietta Lacks. These cells, which adequately mimic a simplified human body in laboratory conditions, are a good example of the immortality of cancer cells [4, 5].
Received in 1951, several tumor cells divide to this day, endure decades of frozen state, divided into parts in different proportions. On their surface, they carry a fairly versatile set of receptors, which allows them to be used to study the action of various cytokines; they are very unpretentious in cultivation; tolerate conservation well. Over the years, tons of these cells have been produced, and all of them are “descendants” of G. Lax’s tumor cells.
These cells got into big science quite unexpectedly. They were taken from a woman named Henrietta Lacks, who died shortly thereafter, but the cell population of the tumor that killed her remained alive.
All previous attempts to obtain cell cultures from tumor tissues outside the human body ended in failure: after a certain number of divisions, the entire cell line died [5].
This cell line, named after Henrietta “HeLa”, was unique in that in vitro they proliferated twice as fast as cells from normal tissues, with the intracellular growth suppression program completely disabled. The HeLa cell culture was the first, and for many years remains the only and indispensable tool for several generations of scientists. As a result, scientists have obtained the first stable and immortal cell culture, which has ensured its status as one of the most popular cell lines used in scientific research. This opens up unprecedented prospects for research in molecular and cellular biology, medicine and pharmacology.
Henrietta Laks
Beautiful black American Henrietta Lacks (Fig. 1),
Fig. 1. Henrietta Lacks, photo by S. Gilgenkrantz [5].
a descendant of white planters and their black slaves, one of the daughters in a family of ten children, lived in the small town of Turner in Southern Virginia with her husband and 5 children. On February 1, 1951, Henrietta Lacks was admitted to the gynecological department of the Johns Hopkins Hospital: she was disturbed by strange bleeding in the intermenstrual period. On examination, a 23 cm tumor of the cervix was found. After a biopsy, the diagnosis was made: “epidermal carcinoma of the cervix.” Eight months later, despite surgery and radiation therapy, she died at the age of 31 [4, 5].
During the examination, the attending physician sent a biopsy of her tumor for analysis to George Gey, head of the cell and tissue research laboratory at Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, Maryland), who was involved in the treatment of cancer and the search for an immortal human cell line for scientific research. research (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2. George Otto Gey George Otto Gey (1899-1970), photo by S.
Gilgenkrantz [5]. He was the first to discover the extraordinary properties of these tumor cells, which were destined to become the first human culture. He was able to isolate one particular cell, grow it, and start a cell line. He started the process of multiplying Lax cells, creating an immortal cell line, in contrast to normal cell populations, which have a “Hayflick limit”. George Gay soon discovered that HeLa cells could even survive the mail and sent them to his colleagues across the country. Very soon, the demand for HeLa cells grew, and they were replicated in laboratories around the world. They became the world’s first standard cell line, which proliferated unusually fast and was more stable even in comparison with other cancer cells [5].
On September 1, 1951, George Gay, holding a tube of HeLa cell culture, spoke to television cameras. He stated that thanks to the obtained cell line in biomedical research, a new era has begun, opening up unprecedented prospects in the development of new drugs, and that the day when a cure for cancer will be found is not far off.
Henrietta Lacks died at Hopkins on October 4, 1951, and her cell population continued to grow exponentially, well ahead of the development of the bioethical norms and rules necessary to regulate scientific progress.
Why are her cells so important?
George Gay was right. Indeed, HeLa cells have become a long-awaited development for researchers around the world. This population of cells, identical in all laboratories in the world, allowed scientists to quickly obtain and independently confirm more and more new data. We can safely say that the giant leap in molecular biology at the end of the last century was due to the ability to cultivate cells in vitro . HeLa cells are the first immortal human cells to ever be grown on an artificial nutrient medium. They enabled scientists to cultivate hundreds of other lines of cancer cells. And although conditions for culturing non-transformed cells have not yet been found, cancer cells for the most part are an adequate model for finding answers to questions asked by scientists and physicians.
Unlike the normal population of human cells, which divide 40 to 50 times before dying, HeLa cells can divide indefinitely.
Normal human cells have a karyotype consisting of 46 chromosomes, while HeLa cells have from 76 to 80 chromosomes, largely mutated [6]. The appearance of this deviation from the normal karyotype is associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV) HPV18, which is responsible for almost all cases of cervical cancer. HPV “inserts” its DNA into the host cell, causing it to synthesize a protein that binds to and inactivates the p53 protein, known as the guardian of the genome due to its role in preventing mutation and suppressing tumors. Therefore, inactivation of the p53 protein can have catastrophic consequences [7].
Even compared to other cancer cells, HeLa cells grow extremely fast. At one time, Dr. J. Gay was amazed to see that within 24 hours of culturing his first HeLa sample, the number of cells doubled. The cause of this anomaly is the activity of the HeLa telomerase enzyme.
Thus, during the division of a normal cell, repetitive short DNA sequences at the ends of all chromosomes, known as telomeres, shorten due to a decrease in the activity of this enzyme [8]. This leads to aging and ultimately to apoptosis and cell death. Normal cells have a maximum number of divisions before these telomeres are depleted. And in HeLa cells, due to the high activity of telomerase, telomeres are lengthened, while reaching an unlimited replicative capacity [9]. This anomaly allows HeLa cells to divide indefinitely, making them older than Henrietta’s age at the time of her death.
The scientific world owes many remarkable achievements to this cell culture. For example, without HeLa cells, the development of a polio vaccine from inactivated viruses in 1953 by the National Infantile Paralysis Foundation virologist Jonas Salk would have been impossible [4]. It was a great and promising scientific success, but before a new drug could be used in humans, it had to be tested on living human cells.
The HeLa cell population proved to be the perfect tool. They not only grew rapidly, which made it possible to accumulate a huge number of cells needed for research in a timely manner, but, as it turned out, they were easily infected with the polio virus. In less than 1 year, the vaccine was ready for use in patients [10].
After the successful use of HeLa cells to obtain a poliovirus vaccine, human cell culture lines became indispensable for the isolation and cultivation of a number of other viruses, the production of antibodies, interferon, and antitumor chemotherapy drugs. Since then, the list of breakthrough technologies and achievements using HeLa cells has been constantly updated. They are used daily for virological research, studying diseases such as cancer, AIDS, assessing the effects of radiation and toxic substances, compiling genetic maps, developing cell engineering methods, and solving a huge number of other scientific problems [5].
At the end of the 1960s, HeLa and other cell cultures gave impetus to the emergence of genetic engineering (conditionally attributed to 1972), when the first recombinant DNA molecule.
An opportunity has opened up to purposefully design artificial genetic programs and many necessary drugs [11].
In December 1960, HeLa cells flew into space on the Soviet Sputnik-6 spacecraft, and subsequently they went into space several more times. The results showed that HeLa feel good not only in terrestrial conditions, but also in weightlessness. Since then, HeLa has been used for cloning (including the famous Dolly the sheep), numerous genetic studies, the development of artificial insemination techniques, and thousands of other studies. From 19In 1972, these cells are actively used in the international program of joint fight against cancer, with the participation of physicians from all over the world [5].
HeLa cells have been linked to HPV and cervical cancer, as well as the role of telomerase in preventing chromosome degradation. For this Harald zur Hausen in 2008 and Elizabeth Blackburn, Carol Greider and Jack Szostak in 2011 were awarded two Nobel Prizes [12, 13].
“The mother of virology, cell and tissue technologies, biotechnology, modern medicine” – this is not a complete list of epithets that this cell culture has earned over many decades.
Thus, the involuntary contribution of Henriette Lacks to medicine is invaluable, for more than half a century of service to science and humanity, HeLa cell culture has become an invaluable and integral part of biomedical research (Fig. 3).
Fig. 3. History of the use of cells in molecular biology and medicine (authors’ drawing).
Meanwhile…
In the meantime, the identity of Henrietta Lacks herself was not advertised for a long time. Dr. Gay, of course, knew about the origin of HeLa cells, but he believed that confidentiality in this matter was a priority, and for many years no one, including the Lacks family, knew that it was her cells that became famous all over the world [ 5].
After the death of Dr. George Gay in 1970, the mystery was solved.
This happened by accident. At the dawn of cell culture research technologies, many scientists did not pay due attention to sterility standards when working with cells and the possibility of cross-contamination of numerous cell lines [4]. More aggressive and tenacious HeLa cells infected less strong cell cultures by moving through the air with dust particles or on non-sterile instruments, insufficiently thoroughly washed hands, and clothes [4, 5]. After 25 years, scientists found that the purity of the HeLa cell culture was in question – the same cell line in different laboratories had different genetic characteristics [14]. It was decided to fix the problem by genotyping, for which scientists tracked down Henrietta’s relatives and asked them to give them DNA samples of the family in order to map the genes. Thus, the secret became clear.
At the same time, for several decades, the consent to the exploitation of cells by G. Laks herself and her relatives was ignored. Henrietta’s poor family never received compensation for the use of HeLa cells without the consent of the donor, and material assistance to her numerous relatives who did not have the means to pay for medical care would be very helpful.
But all requests run into a blank wall, there are no answerers for a long time [5, 15]. In 2013, her relatives first obtained the copyright to use their great-grandmother’s cell material in popular science publications. The family refused any monetary reward. At the same time, an agreement was made between the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) and members of Henrietta’s family to place the HeLa genome sequence “in a controlled access database”, that is, in the NIH database of genotypes and phenotypes (dbGaP; http:// www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gap). Currently, scientists need to apply to the NIH to use the data in their research, agreeing to the conditions put forward. It is also required by law that the Lacks family be mentioned in any scientific publications [16].
I would like to note that some scientists have classified HeLa cells as a separate non-human species – Helacyton gartleri ( Hela , in honor of the HeLa cells themselves; cyton , from the Greek cytos, which means cell; and gartleri – in honor of the geneticist Stanley Gartler, who first documented the amazing properties of these cells).
Evolutionary biologist Lee Van Valen classifies HeLa cells as a new microbial species due to their unrestricted division, their own clonal karyotype, chromosomal incompatibility with humans, different ecological niches, and ability to survive outside the human body. However, many do not agree with this, since they consider the survival of HeLa cells to be an artificial phenomenon and argue that evolution in a Petri dish has little effect on evolution in nature [17]. In parks, squares and cities created by people, there are a large number of micro- and macro-organisms adapted to these conditions, Van Valen adds. Thus, new species were artificially created by man, although not from his own flesh. If HeLa had not been obtained from human tissue, Van Valen argues, there would be no doubt that it would have been isolated into a new species [18, 19].
Nevertheless, a sample of a cancerous tumor, placed in a nutrient medium for the sake of curiosity, began to multiply rapidly, does not age, and has been actively used in science for 65 years.
Today, HeLa cell culture is an important scientific tool in many research laboratories, thanks to which thousands of studies have been carried out, dissertations have been defended, more than 70 thousand scientific articles have been published, and more than 11 thousand patents have been obtained. Today there are so many of them that if Henrietta were alive, then their weight in total would be dozens of times greater than the weight of the woman herself, who, unfortunately, did not find out what an invaluable, albeit unwitting, contribution she made. into science.
Therefore, I would like to honor the memory of Henrietta Lacks. Her cells, her immortal legacy, have saved and continue to save more lives than any doctor can do.
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Information about authors
Lyapun I.N. — e-mail: [email protected]; https://orcid./cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10217477/usa_today_10076018.jpg)
org/0000-0002-5290-3864
Andryukov B.G. — e-mail: [email protected]; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4456-808X
Bynina M.P. — e-mail: [email protected]; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8255-328X
Corresponding author:
Andryukov B.G. — e-mail: [email protected]
How to quote:
Lyapun I.N., Andryukov B.G., Bynina M.P. HeLa Cell Culture: The Immortal Legacy of Henrietta Lacks. Molecular genetics, microbiology and virology. 2019;37(4):151-157. https://doi.org/10.17116/molgen201937041
Immortal Henrietta Lacks: how a mother of five changed medicine
For many years, scientists have been trying to obtain a living human cell culture that could reproduce itself indefinitely. They didn’t succeed. Everything changed with the advent of the “immortal” HeLa cell line – they divide endlessly and are unpretentious to conditions. Thanks to HeLa, vaccines for polio, drugs for the treatment of AIDS and cancer have been obtained, they are invaluable for the development of biotechnology.
Henriette Lacks, who started HeLa, would have turned 100 this year.
In the history of life and death of Henrietta Lacks, several important themes of the 20th century converged at once: the progress of science – and racism, bioethics – and the development of medicine, the history of the United States – and others – which obscure the history of Henrietta herself.
She has been gone for many years, but her cells live and divide: the number of HeLa in laboratories around the world many times exceeded both the number and weight of the body of this beautiful black American woman, who died at 31 from an extremely aggressive form of cancer.
One of the few photos of Henrietta Lacks
On October 4, 1951, medical researcher George Guy of the Johns Hopkins Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, made an announcement of infinite importance in the history of medicine: he had succeeded in obtaining a human cell line capable of reproducing itself indefinitely. The culture is so unpretentious that it can even survive mailing.
It was a sensation: no one has been able to do this before. It was a breakthrough: a new era was beginning.
The cells were called HeLa, which was how Dr. Guy’s laboratory assistant Mary Kubitschek signed the vial of tissue samples, after the initial initials of the patient’s name. No one was particularly interested in who this HeLa was: there was a hospital with a free department for colored people at the institute’s clinic, from where biomaterial was often taken without asking permission and simply offering to sign consent for medical manipulations.
George Guy announced the start of a new era in medical research on the same day Henrietta died, October 4, 1951.
Grandpa Tommy’s Cabin
The story of Henrietta Lacks’ life – happy and at the same time frighteningly scary – was unearthed in the 2000s by physician and writer Rebecca Skloot, who wrote a book about Henrietta. At the age of 18, Rebecca learned about HeLa and became interested in who was behind these initials.
Here’s what she found out.
Henrietta came from a family of African Americans who were freed after the abolition of slavery in 1865. The place of work, and the business of life of the large Lacks family at that time was the only thing they knew how to plant, collect and process tobacco on the red virgin land. Henrietta – actually her name was Loretta Pleasant – was born in Roanoke, Virginia on August 1, 1920 years. No one knows when Loretta became Henrietta.
The Pleasants lived in a tiny shack in a cul-de-sac until 1924, when the mother of the family, Eliza Lacks Pleasant, died giving birth to her tenth child. the same fields where the slaves once cultivated the planters’ tobacco.
Children were distributed among relatives. Henrietta ended up with her grandfather Tommy Lacks: he and his grandmother lived with a number of cousins and Lacks cousins who their parents could not feed. Children attended school until the 5th or 6th grade, and then they began to work in the fields – planting, watering, drying and processing tobacco.
Among her brothers and sisters, Henrietta stood out for her kindness and beauty: she was short, strongly built, with full hips, laughing and with a kind heart. Several cousins were in love with her, she chose one of them, David, and at 14 she gave birth to her first child, a son.
The earthly life of Henrietta Lacks
David and Henrietta Lacks married in 1941 and had five children: Lawrence, Elsie, David, Deborah and Joseph. At the end of the same year, the Lacks moved to Maryland, and David went to work at the plant. Earnings there were small, but exceeded those that they received from the sale of tobacco. Henrietta was cheerful and carefree: she ran to dances, played with children, was ready to feed each of her many cousins and cousins \u200b\u200bwho often dropped in on them.
Joseph, her youngest son, was born in 1950, a few months after the birth, Henrietta began to bleed, then it happened again, and on February 1, 1951, her husband took her to the free department for colored people (with separate rooms, latrines and fountains for water) Johns Hopkins Hospital.
On examination, the doctor found Henrietta to have a shiny reddish tumor the size of a small bump in the cervix. They took a tumor sample from her for a biopsy: it was cancer. From the tumor formation of Henrietta in the laboratory of Dr. Guy (without the special and informed consent of Henrietta, this was part of the consent to free medical manipulations), it was possible to isolate a culture that did not die.
Henrietta’s tumor cells reproduced themselves every 24 hours and the process never stopped.
They became the first “immortal” cells ever grown in the lab. They didn’t die. But Henrietta was dying. Her tumor turned out to be an invasive type of carcinoma, and at the Hopkins Hospital (as everywhere then in the USA) all invasive cervical carcinomas were treated with radium – radioactive therapy, radiation. At high doses of radiation, radium causes burns. However, it also kills cancer cells.
Hopkins Hospital has been using radium to treat cervical cancer since the early 1900s, after surgeon Howard Kelly visited Pierre and Marie Curie, the discoverers and promoters of radium.
Research at the time proved the safety and efficacy of radium compared to surgery in the treatment of invasive cervical cancer. The treatment then was as follows: a test tube with radium was fixed in the cervix for several weeks, and then removed – the cancer cells had to die. At first it seemed that the treatment was successful, but in the case of Henrietta, radium therapy became a fatal medical error: this type of cancer is not cured by radiation (but then they did not know about it).
If Henrietta had her uterus removed, she might have survived. But time was lost
According to the doctors, she received the same treatment as any white patient with a similar diagnosis at that time: a course of treatment with radium and radiation was then the universal standard. But Henrietta’s tumor turned out to be extremely aggressive: it gave numerous metastases, and in terrible agony, experiencing monstrous pain, Henrietta Lacks died. Her body was taken to her relatives in Clover and buried in the family cemetery – without marking the place of burial.
It happened on October 4, 1951 years old, on the same day that George Guy gave an interview to TV channels, showing them his new magnificent forever cell line.
The immortal life of Henrietta Lacks
HeLa cells have become one of the most important developments in medicine in the last hundred years. Now Henrietta’s cells (or rather, her tumor cells) live outside of her body much longer than they did before, while she herself was alive. They divide twice as fast as cells from normal tissues, their growth suppression program does not work after a certain number of divisions – they have become “immortal”: the fact is that HeLa cells build up the telomerase enzyme, which constantly reproduces telomeres at the ends of chromosomes.
Her cells were the first to go into space (in 1960 in a Soviet aircraft) to find out what happens to the cells of the human body in zero gravity. In 1969, they ended up in lunar orbit. They helped develop the polio vaccine, chemotherapy, cloning, artificial insemination, and gene mapping (and provided the material for the Human Genome Project).
Without HeLa cells, the development of the polio vaccine developed by Jonas Salk would have been impossible.
HeLa cells have played an important role in the development of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines. In the 1980s, Lacks cells from a biopsy were found to contain HPV-18, which was later found to be the cause of the aggressive cancer that killed Henrietta Lacks. This discovery led to the development of HPV vaccines, which should reduce deaths from cervical cancer by 70%
HeLa was investigated for the study and treatment of cancer, herpes, leukemia, influenza, hemophilia and Parkinson’s disease
They were used in the study of lactose, diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, appendicitis, human lifespan, mosquito mating and the negative impact of working in sewers on the human body. The chromosomes and proteins of these cells were studied with such care and detail that scientists knew every gene in them. Henrietta’s cells, like guinea pigs and white mice, have become a laboratory workhorse.
In the world of biomedicine, HeLa cells have become as famous as laboratory rats and petri dishes.
If you open the refrigerators of any molecular biology laboratory in the world, there will be billions of Henrietta cells.
George Guy for a long time was the only one who knew the origin of the cells, but did not reveal the name of the patient. It wasn’t until the 1970s that the Lacks family learned that Henrietta’s cells had revolutionized medicine. Henrietta’s descendants are not rich people, they did not receive compensation for the use of HeLa cells without the consent of the donor: the defendants are no longer alive. The Lax case is one of the classic examples of the lack of informed consent in 20th century medicine.
Electron micrograph of HeLa cells
The discovery of HeLa cells has been a blessing for researchers. Because Henrietta’s cells allowed them to perform experiments that could not be done with a human. HeLa cells were cut into pieces and endlessly treated with toxins, irradiated and infected with various infections.
