Experiments in Biosensing

2007

a project by

Beatriz da Costa & Tau-Mu Yi
with
Christopher Kim

Experiments in Biosensing uses methods of synthetic biology to alter the color of yeast cells and bacteria upon exposure to CO and NO2. This enables them to visually function as "un"-natural organic sensors designed to increase public awareness with respect to urban air pollution. These preliminary experiments are the first steps towards the creation of sterile plant sensors changing color in response to CO and NO2 exposure. These plants would be placed in urban neighborhoods visible to anyone walking down the street. Whereas the scientific research ambitions for this project are significant, the primary inspiration comes from a critical interventionist perspective. How might the topic of urban air pollution, which by now has reached main-stream status in many countries be reframed so that knowledge not only results in "well-meaning" but behavioral change? This project is an attempt to breach this topic. Rather than bombarding people with current numbers of greenhouse gases, car emissions and ozone levels, it will confront people with a visual indicator about current pollution levels in their neighborhood.