A South Korean research team says it has developed what it claims is the world’s first method to use nanotechnology for embryonic stem cell treatment.

A research team led by Professor Park Se-pil at Jeju National University said in a news conference Wednesday that it has obtained a U.S. patent for the new technology.

The team said that the new technology uses nanoparticles that break down inside the human body and facilitate the safe and efficient division of stem cells.