Can we break the 120-year-old barrier?

One of the most important research fronts on human aging is related to Hayflick's limit, which postulates on cell division and shortening of telomeres, looking for ways to slow this process and extend life expectancy.

Scientists have now discovered that Hayflick's limit can be manipulable under certain conditions. It is believed today that human cells can divide up to 50 times before they die, and the closer to this limit, the more they show signs of old age. Bypassing this biological condition is therefore a way to break the barrier of 120 years of human life expectancy.

In laboratory studies, mouse cells could divide continuously, while other animal cells required only small amounts of oxygen to keep cell division beyond the Hayflick limit.

More years of life?

Another novelty revealed by the researchers involves the role of telomeres, which are rows of noncoding DNA present at the ends of chromosomes that are shortened with each cell division.

Until now, telomeres were believed to represent the biological clock of humanity, but studies have indicated that they are not as crucial in aging and that they can be reconstructed by certain enzymes.

Can we dream of a few more years of life? Or at least imagine longer without showing signs of aging? Practical research results may not come tomorrow, but it already creates hope for a better and longer life.