# Elucidating the Role of Biofilm-Forming Bacteria in Nephrolithiasis

> **NIH NIH K08** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 2023 · $171,060

## Abstract

TITLE: Elucidating the Role of Biofilm-Forming Bacteria in Nephrolithiasis
PROJECT SUMMARY/ ABSTRACT
Kidney stone disease is common, affecting 11% of the US population. However, the
pathogenesis of kidney stones is still not well understood. While 10% of stones are known to be
infectious, calcium-based stones, which make up 80% of stones, have not previously been shown
to associate with bacteria. However, recent publications have utilized next-generation sequencing
to demonstrate bacterial infestation in calcium stones despite no evidence of prior or concurrent
urinary tract infection in those patients. In preliminary work, we found that uropathogenic bacteria
trigger increased calcium oxalate crystal growth compared to controls. We hypothesize that
bacteria interact with calcium stones and promote the propagation of kidney stones. We further
propose that this interaction involves the formation of bacterial biofilm.
We will test these hypotheses using three specific aims:
1) To test the hypothesis that uropathogens initiate biofilm formation in stones
2) To test the hypothesis that known surface sensing pathways of Pseudomonas spp. and E coli
trigger kidney stone formation and
3) To test the hypothesis that bacteria play an important role in triggering crystallization and
crystal aggregation in urine-specific environments using an in vitro three-dimensional kidney
model.
These aims will be accomplished by utilizing multiple imaging and complementary techniques
including Raman spectroscopy and x-ray fluorescence as well as single-cell tracking analyses
and molecular genetic techniques to investigate biofilm initiation.
This study will provide new insights into the role of bacteria in the propagation of calcium-based
kidney stones. It will also facilitate the advancement of my independent biomedical researcher
career. I will collaborate with and obtain guidance and tutelage from highly successful,
experienced mentors who are committed to my professional development. My research
capabilities will be augmented by didactic and hands-on training in microbiology, machine
learning, and high-resolution imaging, thus preparing me with the tools necessary to transition to
full independence as a surgeon-scientist. Lastly, this funding will allow me to contribute to
elucidating the etiology of nephrolithiasis and will directly enable provide the preliminary data for
my first R01 application.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10740776
- **Project number:** 1K08DK132486-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** Kymora B Scotland
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $171,060
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-08-01 → 2028-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10740776

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10740776, Elucidating the Role of Biofilm-Forming Bacteria in Nephrolithiasis (1K08DK132486-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10740776. Licensed CC0.

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