The suppression of kidney stone crystallization/aggregation with designer microstructured biomaterials
The aim of this project is to extend our understanding of the crystallization mechanism leading to COM kidney stones and to design functional surfaces that inhibit their formation. We will design microstructured nucleation-inhibiting surfaces guided by molecular design. Carefully designed microstructures will force COM molecules into arrangements incompatible with their natural crystalline structure hence inhibiting crystallization akin to inserting a wrong shape block in the prenursery toy “fit shapes”.