TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A new center at the University of Kansas Medical Center that focuses on stem cell research is conducting clinical trials only eight months after it opened.

Officials with the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center briefed a Kansas Senate committee on the clinic’s work since it was established last year.

Dr. Buddhadeb Dawn, the center’s director, detailed clinical trials for the Senate Ways and Means Committee. He says the trials will help patients and make the state a leader in stem cell treatments.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports the center works on adult stem cell, cord blood and related stem cell research. It is prohibited from using embryonic stem cells or cells taken from aborted fetal tissue.