The research team of cloning pioneer Hwang Woo-suk has acquired monkeys for a study on embryonic stem cells and heterotransplantation.

The Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology on Tuesday said it has received 50 monkeys of three species under inspection at the Laboratory of Primate Research in Ochang, North Chungcheong Province.

After the arrival of 20 more monkeys Wednesday, Hwang will begin research on primate stem cells.

His team had planned to experiment on monkeys in May but all of its specimens died after a blackout hit the research center in April.