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Updated: Feb 19, 2026
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A Suppressor Screen for the Characterization of Genetic Links Regulating Chronological Lifespan in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Published on: September 17, 2020
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Breaking the Ceiling of Human Maximal Life span
Moshe Shay Ben-Haim1,2,3, Yariv Kanfi4, Sarah J Mitchell5
1Cancer Research Center, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
Summary
Human life span may not have a natural limit. Targeting aging
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Genetics
- Mortality Studies
Background:
- Human life expectancy has risen, but maximum lifespan has plateaued around 115 years.
- This suggests a potential natural limit to human longevity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if human lifespan has a natural limit.
- To determine if interventions targeting aging can extend maximum lifespan.
Main Methods:
- Systematic analysis of 20th-century all-cause human mortality data.
- Examination of hundreds of aging interventions across multiple model organisms (yeast, worms, flies, rodents).
Main Results:
- After accounting for cause of death, median age of death and maximum lifespan increased proportionally.
- Aging interventions significantly extended median, maximum, and last survivor lifespans to a similar extent in model organisms.
Conclusions:
- The observed ceiling in human lifespan may be breakable.
- Targeting biological and genetic causes of aging offers a pathway to extend maximal human lifespan.
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