This one week lab-intensive will be held the week before Spring semester (Jan 14-18) in the University Science Labs and is designed to provide students with familiarity and conceptual knowledge of common molecular biology tools used in biodesign, basic scientific research, citizen science, and environmental monitoring. Lab techniques will be led by University Science Lab Staff and faculty from the Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and design and art connections will be lead by Parsons Faculty members Jenifer Wightman and Jane Pirone. Students will learn basic lab techniques, scientific methodology, safe and responsible stewardship of biological projects, and experimental design. Labs will include genetic engineering of microbes, testing foods for genetic modification, DNA preparation, microbiological water testing, microbial antibiotic resistance, and more. Students will begin to understand basic scientific operations to inform future collaborations across the social sciences, humanities, and design. Participating students will have tangible experience with the concepts of biodesign thus, preparing them to more deeply understand it as a citizen as well as a designer, researcher, or practitioner. The course will culminate with a Sci-Fi film screening on Friday night. While not mandatory for participating in the BioDesign Challenge Studio (PSDS5720), or for the LSCI 3055 Microbiome of Urban Spaces, those who take this lab course will be given preference to participate in those courses. Permission of the instructor is required.