A breast cancer cell line known as MCF-7 is used by researchers around the world. Â The name comes from the Michigan Cancer Foundation where the cell line was first established in 1973 after isolating the cells from Sister Catherine Frances, a Catholic nun. Â Aside from use in breast cancer research, the cell line has also proven to be valuable in testing for estrogenic activity. Â Cells can be exposed to various chemicals and their rate of multiplication assessed. Â Compounds with estrogenic activity trigger more rapid multiplication, the extent of which can be monitored by isolating and quantifying the amount of DNA in the newly formed cells.
