HeLa (/ ˈ h iː l ɑː / ; also Hela or hela) is an immortal cell line used in scientific research. It is the oldest and most commonly used human cell line.^[1] The line is named after and derived from cervical cancer cells taken on February 8, 1951,^[2] from Henrietta Lacks, a 31-year-old African-American mother of five, who died of cancer on October 4, 1951.^[3] The cell line was found to be remarkably durable and prolific, which allows it to be used extensively in scientific study.^[4][5]

Scanning electron micrograph of an apoptotic HeLa cell. Zeiss Merlin HR-SEM.