The National Institute of Biological Resources (NIBR) of the Ministry of Environment has, for the first time in Korea, successfully reprogrammed somatic cells from hair follicles of the endangered long-tailed goral (Naemorhedus caudatus), into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)¹⁾.

As part of the ongoing "Biological Resources Cryopreservation Project" launched in 2022, NIBR conducted this research to enhance genetic diversity and stabilize populations of gorals, which are declining due to climate change and natural disasters.

In June 2025, NIBR researchers introduced reprogramming genes²⁾ into cryopreserved hair matrix cells and analyzed cell morphology, chromosomes, and stem cell markers. The result confirmed that the cells had been converted into iPSCs, capable of differentiating into various cells including reproductive cells such as eggs and sperm.

Remarkably, 27% of the hair matrix cells were successfully reprogrammed into iPSCs, a rate higher than the maximum of 20% previously achieved by leading countries conducting research on iPSCs from the endangered wildlife³⁾ since the 2010s. This achievement demonstrates Korea's world-class stem cell technology and represents the 12^th successful case of iPSC induction tailored to the species-specific characteristics of wildlife.

Beyond the iPSC induction technology, this achievement holds its significance in paving the way for practical applications of biotechnology such as reproductive cell generation for endangered wildlife, individual restoration, and maintenance of genetic diversity. The research findings are scheduled for submission to the international journal Nature Communications in August 2025.