The World Stem Cell Hub  had announced that it would begin receiving patient registration via the Internet and in person yesterday morning. Its Web site was inaccessible for hours due to a rush of applications. The stem cell bank opened Oct. 19 in South Korea, with the aim of serving as the main center for providing scientists around the world with embryonic stem cells, seen as a potential source of replacement tissue for people with a variety of ailments. "Our Web site was extremely slow for about three hours from 8 a.m. as there were too many access attempts," said Yang Sung-kee, an official in charge of the Web site management at Seoul National Hospital where the stem cell research center is. "It looked like the server Get Linux or Windows Managed Hosting Services with Industry Leading Fanatical Support. Latest News about Servers went down, but it didn't." The official said his team had two network experts on standby in case of attacks on the site from those who oppose cloning technology, but there were no such attempts. Nearly 1,200 applications were received as of yesterday morning, said Lim Jong-pil, an official at the research center at Seoul National University Hospital. More applications were still being submitted. "I'm pinning all hopes on this," said Lee Kil-no, 52, sitting in his wheelchair at the registration center, where dozens of other patients were completing registration forms. Lee said he suffered paralysis from the chest down after falling from a five-story construction site. "I believe my condition will improve if I get this treatment. I wish I could walk again," he said.