Score: 0
Gut Barrier
Time: 90
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About Microbe Midway

Shoot invading pathogens and protect gut diversity in this free online microbiome game about your intestinal ecosystem.

Microbe Midway is a free online microbiome game where you defend your gut community against invading pathogens. This bacteria game turns the trillion-microbe ecosystem in your intestines into a frantic shooter.

Your gut microbiome is an organ of its own. Commensal bacteria like Lactobacillus ferment sugars into lactic acid, crowd out invaders and train your immune system, while pathogens like Salmonella probe for openings. Competitive exclusion, where good microbes occupy every niche and resource, is the shield you enforce in every round.

The protect-versus-shoot decisions reflect real microbial ecology. Antibiotics wipe out defenders along with attackers, causing dysbiosis that lets opportunists like C. difficile bloom. Probiotic species charge your defenses because a healthy community is itself the barrier, a lesson gastroenterologists now take seriously with fecal transplants and microbiome therapeutics.

Key Science Concepts

What You'll Learn

Grade Level: Middle School, High School

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How to play

  1. Shoot Pathogens Tap invading pathogens to protect your gut barrier.
  2. Protect Probiotics Let good microbes pass safely to charge your Super-Shot.
  3. Catch Power-ups Tap bananas, onions, garlic and kefir for instant boosts.
  4. SCFA Super-Shot Tap the lightning button to blast all threats at once.

Frequently asked questions

Is Microbe Midway free to play?
Yes. Microbe Midway is completely free to play in your browser. There is no download, install or account needed.
What grade level is Microbe Midway for?
Microbe Midway is designed for Middle School, High School students and works well as a classroom activity or homework.
Does Microbe Midway work on phones and tablets?
Yes. Microbe Midway runs in any modern browser on desktop computers, Chromebooks, tablets and phones in landscape mode.

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