Overview
Cell immortalization is a technique in which a cell line is created, essentially allowing it to replicate indefinitely. Cell immortalization can be accomplished using a variety of methods, including the introduction of genetic material that provides a cell with the ability to bypass the normal growth control mechanisms, allowing the cell line to continue replicating rather than the typical process of aging and cell death. This technique is significant as it allows for continued study of the same cell line, which can be used to gain a deep understanding of the conditions and genetics that affect cellular behavior, and can also be used to study diseases in their most natural environment. Cell immortalization also makes it possible to quickly generate an abundance of identical cells for therapeutic or research purposes, as it eliminates the need to grow cells from scratch in each experiment.