Among the most significant scientific discoveries of the past century was the discovery of the first immortal human cell line, known as HeLa—a highly tolerant and productive cell line obtained during Henrietta's cancer treatment by researcher Dr. George Jay of Johns Hopkins University in 1951.

Although these were the first cells that could be easily shared and propagated in the laboratory, Johns Hopkins University did not sell the HeLa cells, profit from their discovery, or distribute them, and does not own the rights to the HeLa cell line. Instead, Johns Hopkins has made HeLa cells freely available for scientific research.

Over the past few decades, this cell line has contributed to numerous medical discoveries, from research into the effects of microgravity in outer space and the development of vaccines for polio and COVID-19, to the study of leukemia, HIV, and cancer worldwide.

Although many other cell lines are in use today, HeLa cells have fueled progress in most areas of medical research in the years since the isolation of HeLa cells.

Cervical cancer cells, obtained from Henrietta Lacks before her death in 1951, became a milestone in the history of cancer research and knowledge. Immortal HeLa cells have facilitated medical research, enhanced durability, and enabled replication. This cell line enabled the development of the first polio vaccine at Salk University in 1952. Since their discovery, more than 11,000 patents related to HeLa cells have been filed. It is safe to say that without Henrietta's cells, much research would have been slower, and biomedical advancements would have been more difficult.