Hayflick Limit

Recently, Leonard Hayflick, the discoverer of Hayflick Limit, passed away.

About Hayflick Limit

• What it is: The limit that refers to the maximum number of times a cell can divide
• Naming: Named after discoverer scientist Leonard Hayflick
• Role: This limit is important in aging and the development of age-related diseases
• Ultimate Hayflick Limit: The ‘Ultimate Hayflick Limit’ for humans is about 125 years
  • After this, no amount of diet, exercise or even genetic modifications against diseases can increase human lifespan.
• Exception: Cancer cells
  • These cells are not subject to the Hayflick limit.

Leonard Hayflick's research

• Leonard Hayflick discovered in the 1960s that cell division in somatic non-reproductive cells stops after about 40-60 times.
• This stop in cell division causes aging. As the old cells (that have stopped dividing) accumulate, the person's body begins to age and weaken and death occurs.