In synthetic biology the BioBrick has been used as an abstraction or template for creating standardized functional living parts. _Searching for the Ubiquitous Genetically Engineered Machine_ is an alternate re-appropriation of the BioBrick by using existing BioBrick primers as random-PCR (polymerase chain-reaction) primers in investigating soil samples. This random PCR will provide a succinct signature of the biological diversity present in these samples. These investigations of soil lead us to ask questions about citizen’s science “performed” by non-institutional actors using accessible tools as well as giving us a glimpse into the “post-natural world” where BioBricks may end up in our environment and may very well show up as bands in a gel. By imagining a world in which the BioBrick has become the accepted standard for synthetic biology, and where these engineered products are ubiquitous in our lives and environments, the samples we archive will serve as the baseline from which the subsequent extent of human influence can be measured. These investigations are carried out in a custom-built public research laboratory; the blueprints for making one are available online. These autonomous public laboratories can be used as template for creating a citizen’s research lab with which one can carry out “experiments”, biotechnological or otherwise.

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Supported by the National Center for Biological Sciences, Bangalore; Srishti School of Ar t, Design and Technology,Bangalore. Realized with the help of students from the Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology: Madhul Singh, Prakrithy Pradeep, Biswajith Manimaran, Achala Athreya, Akshaya Maria Thomas, Anvita Goenka, Biswajith Manimaran,Damyanti Choudhary, Durga Gawde, Manasa Thimmiya, Pranav Raman, Sidharta Guha Thakurta, Sohil Bhatia.

ArtScienceBangalore’s (IN) work is at the intersection of art-science and pedagogy, creating spaces of dialog and interaction between artists, designers and scientists. Since 2009, the group has focused on building low-tech laboratories and low-cost equipment, making it easier for outsiders to explore the life-sciences. Their work has been awarded numerous prizes and recognition in both the arts and the science contexts.