MADISON, Wis. -- A world-renowned stem cell scientist and researcher has accepted a key position with the Morgridge Institute for Research, the private, not-for-profit division of the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery.

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Jamie Thomson, the first member of the scientific team at the research facility, will be the director of regenerative biology. Thompson is currently a professor of anatomy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health and will retain that position in addition to his new role. The announcement was made at a news conference at the UW Health Sciences Learning Center on Monday afternoon, WISC-TV reported.

"The opportunities at the Morgridge Institute come at a remarkable time for the course of my research, as well as for the advancement of science," Thomson said. "Biologists now have access to instrumentation that creates an unprecedented depth of data, and we're not, as a group, trained to deal with it. Research synergies among the sciences are more important to the study of human biology now than at any other point in history."

Thomson said that he looks forwards to working along side other scientists and to collaborate on research efforts.

University leaders said that they hope Thomson's appointment will help them recruit scientists to conduct breakthrough research.

Thomson's decision will keep him and his research team in Wisconsin, WISC-TV reported.

Thomson made headlines worldwide in 1998, when be became the first ever to isolate human embryonic stem cells, often times referred to as the building block of the human body. Stem cells act like "blank slates" and are capable of becoming virtually any specialized cell in the human body, WISC-TV reported.

Last year, Thomson and his researcher team successfully turned skin cells into the equivalent of embryonic stem cells. The discovery lifted ethical and political barriers on embryonic stem cells, because they're derived from skin, not human embryos.

"We are extremely pleased and excited about Dr. Thomson's decision to join the Morgridge Institute and help establish the agenda for the breakthrough research the institute will conduct in regenerative biology, as well as in other areas," said Carl Gulbrandsen, chair of the Morgridge Institute for Research's Board. "As the unequivocal leader in this seminal field, Dr. Thomson's commitment and contributions will be crucial to establishing our new institute as a world-class research organization."

The new facility that will house the Morgridge Institute for Research and the public Wisconsin Institute for Discovery is being constructed on University Avenue and is expected to open in the fall of 2010. However, Thomson's work at the Morgridge Institute is expected to begin soon in a leased, temporary space.

Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.