HEK-293 cells are a type of human cell line that was originally derived from human embryonic kidney cells in the early 1970s. They are widely used in biological research and biotechnology due to their ability to grow rapidly and their ease of transfection, which allows scientists to introduce new genes into the cells for study. These cells are particularly valuable for producing proteins, studying gene function, and developing vaccines. Their versatility has made them a standard tool in laboratories around the world, contributing to advancements in fields such as molecular biology and pharmacology.