Konkuk University opened an animal stem cell research institute Wednesday to treat rare or hard-to-cure animal diseases.

Professor Jung Pyung-hyun of the school’s veterinary department said the Animal Stem Cell Center will treat animals by using stem cells extracted from fat tissue.

The center said it has enhanced efficiency because it takes less than three hours for veterinary surgeons to extract stem cells from fat tissue, refine them and use them for treatment. Fat cells contain 1,000 times more stem cells than bone marrow cells and are easier to refine and proliferate.

The center will also store animal stem cells and use them upon the request of local veterinarians for relapses of their “patients.” For the procedure, the center has joined hands with local pet clinics and other animal-related facilities.

“Most of all, we have established a system to accumulate clinical test results, know-how and information about the stem cell treatments and share them with researchers in basic sciences,” said Jung.

“This will contribute to the long-term development of animal stem cell research,” he added. 


By Bae Ji-sook
(baejisook@heraldcorp.com)