Barack Obama added Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) to the Democratic electoral ticket over the weekend, and Obama's choice of vice presidential running mate may be very good for the research community.

Biden's voting record and past comments regarding science policy indicate that he supports robust funding for biomedical and environmental research and emphasizes the importance of alternative energies in combating climate change.

Biden voted for last year's Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, which called for an expansion in federal funding of research on human embryonic stem cells but was vetoed by President Bush.

"Senator Biden understands the important role the federal government plays in finding cures for cancer and other diseases by supporting important biomedical research," reads a statement on Biden's Website. Biden also supports establishing a "biotechnology coordinator" in the Executive Branch of government.

The Delaware Senator has also long been a proponent of developing alternative energies and combating climate change. Biden voted for the Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007, which would mandate the use of 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2022, among other energy saving and greenhouse gas cutting initiatives. Biden also supported designating the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as a wilderness area and thus protecting it from oil drilling.

Senator Biden's office could not provide a comment in time for the posting of this story.