I am sad to hear of the passing of Leonard Hayflick, a giant in aging research. One of the most amazing exchanges I’ve ever witnessed at a conference was related to the Hayflick limit. It was one of my first conferences as a PhD student, in beautiful Vancouver, Canada. Although it was a big gerontology conference, there were many parallel sessions, and I was in a not-very-popular session in a small room, with only a few people attending. I was sitting in the front row. A Russian scientist was presenting a new theory of aging. Halfway through the talk - which apart one incident I barely remember - someone from the back asked a question. The presenter went on to explain in his Russian accent that his theory was based on the Hatflick limit and that, for reasons I don’t remember, it led to aging of tissues. A couple of minutes later, the same American voice from behind me interjects again. A bit annoyed, the Russian scientist again brings up the Hayflick limit and repeats his arguments before continuing the talk. A few minutes later and - you’ve guessed it - yet again the same person from the back interrupts and questions the presenter. You can see the frustration building up in the Russian scientist's face. He stares behind me and in a patronising voice asks: “Excuse me, sir, are you familiar with the Hayflick limit?” And I just hear a voice from behind me go: “I am Leonard Hayflick!” RIP Dr Hayflick