Stem cells could be used to treat a number of human diseases

Professor Ian Wilmut has been named as Director of Edinburgh University's new Centre for Regenerative Medicine.

The announcement follows a £50m award from the UK Government to fund stem cell science over the next two years.

Prof Wilmut said he hoped the centre would be a focal-point for ground-breaking research.

It will be based at the site of Edinburgh's Royal Infirmary at Little France.

We want to draw the very best young clinical and basic scientists from around the world to Scotland Professor John Savill Edinburgh University

Prof Wilmut said: "This centre will provide a unique environment for world-class research with stem cells with the aim of developing therapies for diseases which in many cases do not have any treatment at the present time."

The university's head of medicine and veterinary medicine, Professor John Savill, said he wanted the centre to become a magnet for medical talent.

"We want to draw the very best young clinical and basic scientists from around the world to Scotland to work with our NHS partners and develop new approaches towards prevention and treatment of debilitating diseases affecting the nervous system, liver and other key organs," he said.

Stem cells are able to grow indefinitely, producing "daughter" cells that can form different tissues.

The cells and their derivatives could enable the discovery of new drugs for the prevention of inherited diseases such as motor neurone disease and cancer.