These are known as HeLa cells because they were originally isolated from a woman named Henrietta Lacks. She went to Johns Hopkins Medical Center in 1951 and was diagnosed with cervical cancer. She ...

The story of the cell cycle is often told only through the perspective of the chromosomes as they replicate and then divide. This resource beautifully illustrates the role of the cytoskeleton in that ...

For centuries, curious observers have been grappling with the question “What is life?” Early naturalists documented observations about the living world long before anyone knew about cells. Their ...

Have you ever wondered how scientists and photographers create images and videos like those on our site? If so, you’ve come to the right place. These videos feature research experts from HHMI’s ...

Ellen Quarles, Imaging Application Specialist at HHMI's Janelia Research Campus.

The nucleus is the organelle that contains and protects the cell’s DNA. However, it is much more complex than just a sac for DNA. It has its own membrane, which wraps around the DNA and has a variety ...

Derek Sung is a physician-scientist and pathology resident living in Philadelphia. He received his MD and PhD from the University of Pennsylvania. His research has spanned from heart valve disease and ...

Teng-Leong Chew, Director of Advanced Imaging at HHMI's Janelia Research Campus.

Chad Hobson, Application Scientist at HHMI's Janelia Research Campus.

Nope, this isn’t a small, prickly mammal with a flashy dye job, but a single intestinal epithelial cell. The colorful, hairlike structures are microvilli, which are designed to maximize the cell’s ...

Activate prior knowledge and surface questions by creating a K/W/L chart (what I know, what I want to know, and what I learned) about COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2. Given that this is a deeply relevant ...

Nirmala Iyer, Research Specialist at HHMI's Janelia Research Campus.