Human Microbiome Minecraft Map

Your body is home to TRILLIONS of microbes that form communities in different places in and on your body. Together these communities make up your MICROBIOME. In this Minecraft map, you can PLAY games in some of the areas of your body where microbes live. Learn how to defend against the bad ones while protecting the good!

Download Human Microbiome Minecraft Map

The games were created by teens who participated in the Lang Science Program at the American Museum of Natural History.

Watch introductions to the games by the kids who made them.

Pixelated map showing an aerial view of a green island shaped like a man.

THE GAMES 

The central hub of this world is the brain. Head inside (pun intended) and choose an area of the body where microbes are either causing trouble or protecting you from harm. Play one or play them all!

Close-up of a pixelated spider, outlined in white.

SUPERBUG

Use antibiotics against life-threatening bacteria and learn about antibiotic resistance. As you fight against harmful bacteria be careful not to hurt the bacteria that are good for you. (1 player)

Large Stairwell lit by torches in the "Defend the Human" minigame.

DEFEND THE HUMAN

In the arm, you can use microorganisms like Micrococcus luteus, that live on human skin and help the immune system fight off infection. Or you can play the role of Staphylococcus to try to invade the body. (2 or 3 players)

Room with checkered red and white tile on the floor and food stations on the wall.

GUT-BRAIN AXIS

In the neck, you will play the role of either serotonin or serotonin-inhibitor, racing your opponent through the vagus nerve that connects the brainstem to the abdomen, while learning about the relationship between microbes, the gut-brain axis, and depression. (2 players)

Dark room with jack-o-lantern cubes on ceiling.

BACTERIOPHAGE THERAPY

This game begins in the leg. Use bacterial viruses to fight bacterial infections that are resistant to conventional antibiotics.(1 player) 

Close-up of a pixelated, red horse standing in a white-tiled corner.

MICROBIAL INTERACTION

Run experiments on sheep, wolves, and zombies that represent how microbes interact with one another and with their environment. (1 player)

WATCH NOW!

Make your own Let’s Play video to document your playthrough of the Human Microbiome Minecraft Map. Once your video is on YouTube please share the link in the comments section of the video below. 

AMNH Scientist Susan Perkins and AMNH photographer Matt Shanley play Microbial Interaction with Matt’s 9-year-old daughter, Dakota.

PLAY NOW!

Download Human Microbiome Minecraft Map

  1. Make sure you have your own Minecraft account!
  2. Install Forge (This Minecraft map is only compatible with Minecraft version 1.9 with Forge):
    • Download and install Minecraft Forge Version 1.9.
    • Sign into your Minecraft Account.
    • Click the arrow next to launch and select forge 1.9-forge1.9-12.16.1.1887 from the list.
  3. Get your new map in the right location:
    • Download and unzip the Human Microbiome Minecraft Map.
    • Open Minecraft.
    • Click the icon that looks like three bars at the top right of the launcher (PC only)
    • Select Launch Options.
    • Select Forge from the list.
    • Where it says Game Directory, click the green arrow on the right side of the window.
  4. You are now ready to play!
Image credits

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Image Credits:

"MineCrafter" font used in title, © Madpixel Designs / dafont.com