| HeLa | <cell culture, oncology> Referring to cells of the first continuously cultured (human cervical) carcinoma strain. An established line of human epithelial cells derived from a cervical caracinoma (from a black American woman called Henrietta Lacks). In fact the cellular biomass now considerably exceeds that of Henrietta herself ! These cells are used for virus cultivation and antitumour drug screening assays. Origin: Henrietta Lacks (d. 1951). (21 Jun 2000) |
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| helamys | <zoology> See Jumping hare, under Hare. Origin: NL, fr. Gr. Fawn + mouse. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |