# Therapeutic bubble tea: Preventing the formation of uremic toxins with hydrogel immobilized microbes

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2022 · $7,355

## Abstract

Abstract of the funded parent award or project.
Dialysis is the leading therapy when kidneys lose their capacity to remove toxins from the blood. However,
dialysis cannot replicate all the functions of healthy kidneys and as a result, patients with advanced chronic
kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) receiving dialysis continue to experience high rates
of residual symptomatology, cardiovascular complications, and mortality. It is increasingly recognized that
byproducts of gut microbial metabolism, such as the protein-bound uremic toxins (PBUTs) indoxyl sulfate and
para-cresol sulfate, are not effectively removed because they bind tightly to plasma albumin and remain on the
blood side of dialysis membranes. The plasma concentrations of gut derived PBUTs has repeatedly been related
to cardiovascular morbidity, cognitive decline, and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and
end stage renal disease (ESKD). However, multiple attempts to modify the intestinal microbiome in kidney
failure with the use of pre- and pro-biotics have not demonstrated significant clinical benefit to date.
In response to this critical unmet need, we propose a radically different (high risk high reward) approach to
preventing uremic toxicity from PBUTs based on bioengineering principles and civil and environmental
engineering strategies, which have had demonstrated success in drug delivery and wastewater treatment. Our
innovation targets the degradation of PBUT precursors (indole and p-cresol) in the gut to prevent sulfonation
in the liver to their toxic forms by using bacteria immobilized in hydrogel particles, which can be ingested
similar to a bubble tea. Rather than attempting to alter the underlying microbiome, the hydrogel bubbles will
provide a protective environment for their cargo to target the colon (primary site of formation and absorption
of indole and p-cresol) and will allow the introduced bacteria to exit the digestive system after treatment, hence
avoiding a disturbance of the human microbiome.
The overarching goal of this application is to leverage these field-leading engineering tools, in order to develop
a novel ‘needle free’ technology that ultimately can improve the wellbeing of patients with advanced CKD and
ESKD by reducing uremic toxicity. Our strategy is to combine expertise in microbiology, bioreactor technology,
mathematical modelling, uremic toxicity, intestinal function, and polymer chemistry in order to prevent
formation of PBUTs, rather than trying to eliminate them from the bloodstream. Our approach will utilize
polymer and hydrogel engineering to tailor gel beads. The gels will contain immobilized bacteria that will
degrade indole and p-cresol to non-toxic, beneficial or probiotic components. The gels will function as
protective barrier for the bacteria in the acidic stomach but will allow diffusion of indole and p-cresol into the
bead interior once they reach the pH-neutral small and large intestine henc...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10631801
- **Project number:** 3R01DK130815-01S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Mari-Karoliina Winkler
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $7,355
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2022-08-01 → 2023-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10631801

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10631801, Therapeutic bubble tea: Preventing the formation of uremic toxins with hydrogel immobilized microbes (3R01DK130815-01S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10631801. Licensed CC0.

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