A Seoul National Univeristy team has cured damaged spines of dogs with adult stem cells.

Led by veterinarian Kwon Oh-kyung, the team said Friday that three of four dogs with paralyzed hind legs due to spinal fracture showed significant improvement in their conditions after receiving a transplant of stem cells extracted from umbilical cord blood.

One dog can walk again while two others can either stand on all fours or move knee joints.

Kwon said that though additional research is needed, the breakthrough has left open the possibility of the development of stem cell-based cures for serious spinal injuries.

The team will make an official announcement of the results Saturday at an academic symposium.