Biofilm in urinary tract infections

Biofilm is associated with many diseases, including urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Biofilm is a specialized bacterial lifestyle that contributes to the pathogenesis of disease as well as patient treatment outcome.

Despite its medical importance, diagnostic methods and criteria for biofilm infections, and effective treatment against such infections are lacking.

To address these needs, our research is designed to gain molecular understanding of the complex composition, spatial organization, and the dynamics of biofilm formation of clinically relevant UTI bacteria using in-depth analyses enabled by biofilm-specific optotracing assays and biomimicking microfluidic models.

Also, we will analyse the relationship between biofilm formation and disease progression, treatment, persistence, and recurrence in patients presented at the hospital with suspected UTI.

Lastly, we will investigate a novel route for biofilm diagnostics based on high-precision fractionation of components in urine from UTI patients. Collectively, this project will create new pertinent knowledge to strategize treatment and management of UTIs.

By transforming current diagnostics and treatment of this severe public health problem, our project will have important long-term contributions in creating better diagnostics of biofilm infections and reducing the effect of this disease.