Q: How are these cells improved over normal 293 cells?
A: The HEK293 cell line is a permanent line established from primary embryonic human kidney transformed with human adenovirus E1 gene. 293AD is derived from the parental 293 cell line, but was specifically selected to have flattened morphology and firm attachment to the dish to improve adenovirus applications. These cells are about 2-3 times larger than 293 cells and remain attached to the dish more firmly even once they form a monolayer, where regular 293 cells normally detach in a sheet at confluency.
Q: Are these cells resistant to any antibiotics?
A: The 293AD cell line is neomycin and zeocin stable.