The Coming

In coming weeks Company-X will be 'checking-in' with my advisor on the condition of my laboratory. Currently its almost non-existent. The reason for this is that upon being funded one of the requests is that my lab be placed in a new location thus giving only me access to it. I can no longer use shared spaces, or permit anyone access to my work if they are not on a special list generated by the Company. This being the case I need to rebuild the room, and get all new equipment to populate it with. It could take a few weeks, and I still need to place a materials order for all my new glassware. 

Also, I have been given a list of plants they want cultured, and I should point out that these plants are all edible, with the exception of one. 

A very common variety of Tree.

I haven't been told why these are the chosen plants, and scientifically its a leap to use them in these experiments but it was approved all the way down the line and I can't see any reason to NOT use them. 

I will get back to you on these plants chosen, my thoughts thus far probably shouldn't be placed here since I really don't want to jump to radical conclusions based on edible plant choices.  

But really, testing the effects of highly toxic nanoparticles on edible plants and trees, you can see why I may be a bit concerned with the lack of research they have had published, can't you ?

Sketchy.

It Has Finally Happened!

It has finally happened. If you know me at all you will know that I have been waiting for something like this to happen for a very long time. I had a meeting yesterday with my graduate adviser and he shared the good news with me.
I am completely being funded!

I did not get to meet with the company funding me however, they read my proposal and decided to pay for everything I need. With a catch however. I haven't been told exactly what I need to do differently in my research but I have been told that this company has been 'buying' researchers around the globe for a few years now. They have never actually published any of the work they have been doing but they have been spending a lot of money researching this area.

For those of you who do not know me, or exactly what I do I will introduce myself.

I am earning my Masters of Applied Science degree [M.A.Sc.] in Environmental Engineering, specializing in The Environmental Interactions of Carbon Nanotubes. In short its Nano-ecotoxicology project at a Canadian University.
I don't think I should use my real name as I did sign a non-disclosure agreement with Company-X. This should keep me anonymous enough so that I can share some things that few are privy to.

Currently I can tell you all about my research thus far. To date I have been working in the Environmental Engineering department in conjunction with a few folks in Biology and Biochemistry. I have devised a series of experiments using plant cell suspension, and hydroponics that would, if successful all one to see the effects of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) on individual plant cells and how these SWCNTs effect growth if absorbed by plant roots.

This is a big issue in upcoming years as these little guys make there way into industry and commercial products. I want to know what happens when they make there way into our food, and maybe even our bodies.
Current studies relating to direct CNT inhalation, or ingestion, or even dermal absorption suggest, well...a slow cancerous death basically.

I can see why Company X is interested in this research, and why they would pay so much for it, but I cannot see why they wouldn't make any of there findings known to the public. You'd think something this dangerous should become common knowledge! Its like the effects of smoking, only 500x faster in occurance, on dose-dependent basis. If this gets into our plants and food and water supply, as I am studying, who knows what will happen to the world.

Its almost a little bit scary.