HEK293 (Human Embryonic Kidney 293) is a human-derived cell line originally established by transforming human embryonic kidney cells with adenovirus 5 DNA. It is one of the most widely used mammalian cell lines in biopharmaceutical manufacturing due to its high transfection efficiency, ability to produce human-like post-translational modifications (PTMs), and suitability for both transient and stable gene expression. HEK293 and its derivatives — including HEK293T, HEK293F, and HEK293-6E — are the preferred production platform for viral vectors such as AAV and adenoviral vectors used in gene therapy and vaccine development.
