You are not the only one who calls your body home

Meet THEM the millions of unseen visitors that call the human body home.
THEM gives you an inside, microscopic look at the plethora of bacteria, microbes, parasites and other organisms that inhabit the human body.

You’ll develop an appreciation for the importance of these unseen inhabitants that play a significant role in our health.
Did you know, ninety percent of the cells in and on our bodies are not our own? THEM provides you the opportunity to explore the vast diversity of microbes that live in and on the human body, to understand the benefits that these organisms provide to human health and to understand the delicate balance between you and them. Visitors also are introduced to the ways in which human behavior can impact – positively and negatively – the microbial make-up of their bodies.
Enter THEM and encounter an alien landscape areas include:

Clusters of THEM
Learn how much of you is really THEM as you see where microbiota tends to cluster within the body.

Array of THEM
Get hands-on as you understand the five major groups of microorganisms that may inhabit your body.

Microscope
You’re the scientist as you use a video stereoscope to explore petri dishes filled with microorganisms.

Scope on a Rope
See you at 50x magnification (hint: that's really close up).

Core Samples
Take a peek beyond your skin. Scientific illustrations create a visual of internal cells, structures, and microorganisms.

Balance
Learn about the balance our microscopic friends bring us.

Antibacterial Resistance
While antibiotic drugs can be life saving medicines, if misused or over-used, they can accelerate the evolution of resistant bacteria- a concept sparking serious concern within the scientific community. This graphic panel takes you from the first antibiotic, penicillin, to the detrimental effects of antibacterial overuse.

Antibiotic Resistance Game
Race for space in a competition between your native bacteria and invading bacteria…if the invaders take root on your virtual intestinal wall a wave of antibiotics sweeps in to help out, but resistant strains may wreak havoc on the area- watch out.

THEM is presented by Carolinas Medical Center

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