About Phage Hunter

Pick bacteriophages that match each superbug in this free online phage therapy game about antibiotic alternatives.

Phage Hunter is a free online bacteriophage game where you dock viruses onto antibiotic-resistant superbugs. This virus game turns phage therapy, a century-old idea now returning to clinics, into physics-based precision targeting.

Bacteriophages are viruses that eat bacteria. A phage locks onto specific surface receptors, injects its genome and hijacks the host to print hundreds of copies until the cell bursts in the lytic cycle. Host specificity is the catch you feel in the docking mechanic: each phage strain fits only certain bacteria, the way a key fits one lock.

That specificity makes phages compelling medicine. While antibiotics carpet-bomb the microbiome, a matched phage kills only the target bug, which is why phage therapy is being revived for infections no drug can touch. Bacteria fight back with their own immune systems called CRISPR, the very machinery another of our games lets you wield.

Key Science Concepts

• Bacteriophage structure and docking
• Lytic infection cycle
• Host receptor specificity
• Phage therapy for resistant infections
• Bacterial CRISPR defense
• Antibiotic resistance crisis

What You'll Learn

• Describe how a phage infects and lyses a bacterium
• Explain why phage host range is narrow
• Compare phage therapy to broad-spectrum antibiotics
• Connect bacterial defense to the CRISPR toolkit

Grade Level: Middle School, High School

Related Games

• Immune Rush - Immune System Game
• Microbe Midway - Microbiome Game
• CRISPR Snipe - Gene Editing Game
• Epitope Striker - Monoclonal Antibody Typing Arcade

Explore more free science games at Science Games Lab

How to play

1. Aim & Launch Drag backwards and release to launch your phage across fluid currents.
2. Dock & Inject Tail fibers grapple onto superbugs, contracting the sheath to inject DNA and lyse!
3. Protect Probiotics Never hit friendly gut bacteria. Damaging them lowers your balance.
4. Catch Boosts Collect Endolysin power-ups to dissolve all pathogens and DNA vials for bonus points.

Frequently asked questions

Is Phage Hunter free to play?

Yes. Phage Hunter is completely free to play in your browser. There is no download, install or account needed.

What grade level is Phage Hunter for?

Phage Hunter is designed for Middle School, High School students and works well as a classroom activity or homework.

Does Phage Hunter work on phones and tablets?

Yes. Phage Hunter runs in any modern browser on desktop computers, Chromebooks, tablets and phones in landscape mode.

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