Nanobacteria-Induced Kidney Stone Formation: Novel Paradigm Based on the FERMIC Model

Mineralized nanobacteria have been found in a large number of human kidney stones. To analyze the mechanism of the stone formation induced by these crystalline biosystems, we demonstrate how free energy reduction by molecular interface crossing (FERMIC)a powerful molecular transport mechanism derived from first principlescould be implemented into existing concepts. FERMIC is generated by thermodynamic instabilities between nanoscopic molecular assemblies at proximal curvature asymmetries and predicts that kidney stones could be formed by material transfer between differently sized nanobacteria in interfacial proximity, immobilized for extended periods within the kidneys. Therapies counteracting kidney stone formation are suggested by the model and include biochemical and physical strategies allowing a reduction of the size differences as well as a minimization of the period of interfacial proximity between the nanobacteria passing the kidneys, principal factors recognized as essential for stone formation.