Aug 19, 2010

DIY: How to Separate your Cells

Recently, Radiolab received an email in response to the show Mortality.

Recently, Radiolab received an email in response to the show Mortality.

Hi, my name's Duncan, and I'm a fan of your mortality show. I'm in grade 8, and I was wondering how Leonard Hayflick could separate the cells in order to feed them. I have been studying cells for quite a while, and I would like to be able to experiment with the Hayflick limit.

Well, Duncan, ask and you shall receive. Here's the answer, straight from Dr. Hayflick himself:

Don't try this at home! Although you could, kinda... because you've already got that chemical he was talking about--Trypsin--right in your own body. It just happens to be a main enzyme found in the stomach that breaks down the protein you eat. Gurgle.

THE LAB sticker

Unlock member-only exclusives and support the show

Exclusive Podcast Extras
Entire Podcast Archive
Listen Ad-Free
Behind-the-Scenes Content
Video Extras
Original Music & Playlists