ssdd
Hazard to Others
Posts: 211
Registered: 13-4-2007
Location: Central Canada
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cheap HeLa cells?
I was reading up on HeLa cells the other day, and they are simply fascinating me and some of my peers. So I went searching for a source of them, while
I found a source the prices are outrageous and I was simply wondering if there is a cheaper way to obtain these cells?
I know that they can become a lab contaminant and contain the gene for human papillomavirus.
Any input on this would be great because I don't have the $150 to put out for a simple cell culture. 
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chemoleo
Biochemicus Energeticus
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Yes, but what would you do with them, outside a proper biochem lab?
Easiest is probably to ask someone you know from a biochem department- almost every lab will have them!
Poor HEnrietta LAcks never knew what fame she'd acquire!
Never Stop to Begin, and Never Begin to Stop...
Tolerance is good. But not with the intolerant! (Wilhelm Busch)
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Darkblade48
Hazard to Others
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I agree with chemoleo; working in a cell culture lab, we passage HeLa cells every so often, and the extra cells are simply thrown into the
biohazardous waste.
Perhaps you can be around when cell culture work is being done, and grab some cells from either the cell biology or biochemistry departments in your
area.
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sparkgap
International Hazard
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Any decently stocked biochem lab just might have these cells in a nice dish, that is true. 
chemoleo, indeed. How would she have thought that her cell samples would be passed from generation to generation for scientific pursuits? And her
estate has never made a single cent off it too, IIRC. 
sparky (~_~)
"What's UTFSE? I keep hearing about it, but I can't be arsed to search for the answer..."
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ssdd
Hazard to Others
Posts: 211
Registered: 13-4-2007
Location: Central Canada
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Mood: Hypergolic
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Hmmm, the mission goes on... to find someone I know in a biochem dept. 
Anyways, thanks for the input. These things are simply facinating, talk about someone litterally having eternal life.
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