Almost �100m is to be invested in science and research facilities at Scottish universities, it has been announced.

The joint investment by the UK Government and the Scottish Executive was unveiled by Enterprise Minister Iain Gray and Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell.

New treatments for heart disease and cancer and developing communications technologies are among the research fields which are expected to benefit.

The money will be spent on buildings and laboratories as part of a drive to boost Scotland's research infrastructure.

Glasgow University will get almost �28m

Glasgow and Edinburgh universities will take the greatest share of the funding, receiving almost �28m and �23m respectively.

A major new centre for biomedical research in Glasgow is among the projects to benefit.

Scottish higher education institutions will receive a share of �49m per year over two years, starting in 2004.

The allocation is up from �32.5m previously available under the scheme.

Mr Gray said: "If Scotland is to remain fully competitive with the rest of the UK in the area of scientific research, we must first invest in our infrastructure.

Science facilities

"State of the art facilities and equipment are crucial to maintaining and boosting Scotland's international reputation.

"This significant investment will ensure Scottish universities are given the resources they need to carry out research of the highest quality.

"It will also make up for a previous under-investment in our science facilities."

Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell said: "Scientific excellence, of course, stems from a number of factors - good research and development being among the main ones.

"Scotland has a particularly strong and globally renowned research base, particularly in biotechnology, in software development and in pharmaceuticals."