"My fear is that it will be difficult to justify using their money for research in an independent Scotland.
"This will be a major problem for Scotland and with progress in biomedical research, including the treatment of diseases such as cancer."
Formerly a researcher at the University of Edinburgh, Sir Paul specialised in the study of cell growth and division, and identified key molecules which control the cycle of cells, potentially paving the way for new cancer treatment.
The discovery led to him being named joint winner of the Nobel prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2001. He was knighted in 1999 for services to cell biology and cancer research.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has invited the scientist to deliver a speech about research funding in Scotland next month.
He yesterday welcomed Sir Paul's comments on the independence debate and pointed to figures which he said show Scotland attracts a disproportionate level of funding, with £12.40 per head in 2011 against a UK average of £8.25.
"Scotland could find itself outside the loop, cut off not just from UK funding of Scottish research but from UK-wide collaborative projects and consequently far less able to play what most Scottish people will want: the fullest part possible in the biggest push Europe has yet seen to find better ways of treating and curing diseases such as cancer," Mr Brown said.
But the Scottish Government said current links over research would continue under independence.
A spokesman said: "Scotland has world class universities producing ground-breaking research, and that will continue in an independent Scotland.
"The UK currently operates as a 'common research area.' It is clearly in the interest of both Scotland and the rest of the UK to maintain this with independence - something in line with current international practice which sees extensive cross-border co-operation on research funding."
Source : http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568612/s/3b46a535/sc/7/l/0L0Stelegraph0O0Cnews0Cuknews0Cscottish0Eindependence0C10A8841720CScottish0Eindependence0Ewould0Edamage0Ecancer0Eresearch0ENobel0Escientist0Esays0Bhtml/story01.htm