WI-38 Cells

Please note: The WI-38 cell line is not available for purchase anymore. Our stock reached senescence and therefore cannot be sold anymore. However, we continue to offer an immortalized variant of this cell line, WI 38VA13 Subline 2RA (Catalog No. 300421).
The WI-38 cell line, derived from the fetal lung tissue of a 3-month-old fetus obtained from an elective abortion in Sweden in 1962, represents a landmark in medical science, particularly in vaccine production. WI-38 cells have played a crucial role in the development of vaccines for a wide array of virus-based infectious diseases, including poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, herpes zoster, adenovirus, rabies, and Hepatitis A, thereby significantly reducing morbidity associated with these conditions.
Notably, WI-38 cells have been utilized in the production of several key vaccines, such as Merck’s rubella and Hepatitis A vaccines, Sanofi Pasteur’s Imovax rabies vaccine, and the adenovirus vaccine used by the U.S. military, highlighting their essential role in public health. These cells, characterized by their fibroblast cell type and excellent biocompatibility, offer an optimal environment for the culture of viruses and the production of human virus vaccines.
As a human diploid cell line with a finite lifespan of about 50 population doublings and a doubling time of roughly 24 hours, WI-38 cells have been used extensively in biological research, including the study of cellular aging, cancer, and genetics. WI-38 cells further have been instrumental in the field of virology, particularly in supporting the cultivation and study of human viruses. These cells provide a conducive environment for growing viruses extracted from clinical specimens, which is essential for the development of vaccines and for advancing our understanding of viral behaviors and genetics.
In summary, WI-38 cells, with their extensive applications in vaccine production remain a cornerstone in the field of virology. Their contribution to the development of cell-derived vaccines and the advancement of primary cells in scientific research underscores their invaluable role in enhancing human health worldwide.