One of the most commonly used mammalian cells in scientific research is the HEK 293 cell line. HEK 293 cells are derived from human embryonic kidney cells and were originally isolated in the early 1970s. They are commonly used for a variety of applications, including protein expression, gene editing, and drug screening.
HEK 293 cells are ideal for research because they are easy to grow in culture, highly transfectable (meaning they can easily be manipulated to express foreign genes), and can produce high levels of protein. They are also known for their stability and consistency, making them a reliable and reproducible model for research.
Other commonly used mammalian cell lines include CHO (Chinese hamster ovary) cells, NIH/3T3 cells (mouse embryonic fibroblasts), HeLa cells (cervical cancer cells), and A549 cells (human lung carcinoma cells). Each cell line has its own unique features and advantages, depending on the specific research question and experimental design.