[DIYbio] How to start with DIY bio?

Hi,    I would like to setup a small lab to do some beginner's work.    Currently I have no biological equipment, but I am able to work on  electronics and I work as a software developer.     I think it is probably best to grow the lab in several phases. First I'd  like to concentrate phase I but to keep all alter phases in mind, but  only to use them when I have to decide which of several paths to follow.    Phase I     I'd like to be able to perform PCR and do some genetic  fingerprinting/barcoding for plants and animals.    Phase II     I'd like to create my own GMO bacteria - probably starting with adding  luciferase or something similar (as I understand the luciferase gene is  patented)  to E.coli    Phase III     GMO with plants    Phase IV    Work on c.elegans        I am grateful for all feedback for all phases, but would really like to  concentrate on phase I for now.    I am located near Munich in Germany. I would be happy to take part in  any courses that are open to non-students - but I don't know of any. The  "Deutsches Museum" in Munich has a visitor's lab - I've done a PCR  experiment there, but this is a 2 hour experiment and no followup is  planned nor are deviations from the standard protocol possible.  Also I'd be happy to join some kind of community lab, but again - I  don't know any.    All pointers are welcome.    If there really is no place for me to work on these kinds of projects I  would look into how to set this up myself on a budget.    The first steps would be to build a thermocycler and a electrophoresis  box. I'd probably buy a pipette (which size should I choose?) and a  centrifuge - I have a lot of respect of fast-spinning-stuff and would  not risk building something like this on my own.    For the thermocycler I am not sure how fast is has to be able to heat up  and cool. Especially cooling might make this more expensive, If I have  to cool faster than a normal fan would do. Obviously the cycle time gets  longer if the cooling is not as efficient, but are there any other  adverse effects, if I cool more slowly?  Also how exact do these temperatures have to be?    Apart from these questions, I expect I'd be able to handle the equipment  part on my own.    But where can I source the chemicals? What kind of dye should I use (I'd  prefer non-carcinogenic)?    I hope you can help and give me some pointers!    Thanks in advance  Oliver