HeLa cell, immortal human epithelial cancer cell line, SEM

Formation of the inner mass in an early mouse embryo, LM

Embryonic Drosophila CNS, proteins and transcription factors

HeLa cells, immortal human epithelial cancer cell line, SEM

GABAergic and Glutamatergic neurons in the zebrafish brain

Greyhound dog skull

Mouse umbilical cord

Early mouse embryo preimplantation, LM

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False-coloured scanning electron micrograph of a HeLa cell which is displaying some blebbing. These blebs or ruffles visible on the surface of the cell are local bulges which form in the plasma membrane when it temporarily detaches from the underlying cytoskeleton. Cell blebbing is important for a variety of cellular processes including cell movement and cell division. HeLa cells are an immortal human epithelial cell line derived from a cancerous tumour of the cervix (adenocarcinoma). It was established in 1951 from a biopsy taken from Henrietta Lacks and was the first human cell line to survive and grow in the laboratory. Henrietta's cells were originally used in this way without permission from her or her family which raises issues about ethics and privacy. HeLa cells have been used extensively around the world in many different fields of research including cancer research, immunology and vaccine development. Width of image is 32 micrometres.

This computor artwork shows the period of human gestation from the day of a missed period up to 38 weeks (9 months) at which point the fetus is fully developed. The development and increasing size of the growing fetus is shown at 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 18 weeks 22 weeks 26 weeks 30 weeks 34 weeks and finally 38 weeks.

Pregnancy & human development

Complete skeleton of a Marabou stork (Leptoptilos crumenifer or Leptoptilos crumeniferus) standing on one leg. Marabou storks are large wading birds which scavenge for food, often dead and decaying animal flesh (carrion). They have large, oversized beaks adapted for this. The Marabou stalk is 90 cm from ground to shoulder.

Complete skeleton of a marabou stork

False colour SEM of a mouse umbilical cord. The umbilical cord develops during fetal development and connects the baby to the mother. Blood circulates from the placenta through the cord to provide nutrients to help the fetus grow and supplies cxygen and removes carbon dioxide via gas exhange in the cord.

Complete skeleton of a Harris' Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus). The Harris' hawk is a medium-sized bird of prey that breeds in the United States and South America. These raptors are unusual in that they hunt in packs or family groups. The Harris hawk wingspan (in articulated position) is 60 cm.

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Development

Images

Works

HeLa cell, immortal human epithelial cancer cell line, SEM

Pregnancy & human development

Complete skeleton of a marabou stork

Mouse umbilical cord

Complete skeleton of a Harris' hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus)

Today’s opening times

Wellcome uses cookies.

Development

Images

Works

HeLa cell, immortal human epithelial cancer cell line, SEM

Pregnancy & human development

Complete skeleton of a marabou stork

Mouse umbilical cord

Complete skeleton of a Harris' hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus)

Wellcome Collection

Today’s opening times