Two Cornell University professors received a $3 million grant for stem cell research from the New York State Stem Cell Science program of the New York State Department of Health.

The money was awarded to researchers in the school’s Cornell Stem Cell Program (CSCP), Professor John Schimenti and College of Veterinary Medicine Professor Alexander Nikitin. The grant will provide support for the school’s the Stem Cell Modeling and Phenotyping Core.

According to a university news release, the Core consists of the Stem Cell and Transgenics Core Facility (directed by Schimenti), the Core Stem Cell Pathology Unit (directed by Nikitin) and the Core Stem Cell Optical Imaging Unit (directed by Associate Professor Warren Zipfel). Their combined resources and services integrate advanced animal modeling and phenotyping, the study of how genes affect physical traits, the school says.

Stem cells are highly controversial, with few definitive studies on their effectiveness as a treatment method. However, many veterinary practices offer stem cell treatments for companion animals.