Karina Krarup Sand

Karina Krarup Sand

Associate Professor

Interactions between organic molecules and mineral surfaces are vital for many forms of life. They also have a significant influence on element cycles and survival and shuttling of environmental DNA in our environment. I am working in the cross field of geology, biology and chemistry and are quantifying interaction between polymers and minerals using dynamic in-situ approaches such as liquid cell atomic force microscopy (imaging mode, chemical force microscopy and dynamic force spectroscopy) combined with FTIR, XRD and electron-based approaches. In my group we are currently addressing if DNA stabilized on minerals could have had a  contribution to the the origin and evolution of life. We are further exploring if horizontal gene transfer from mineral stabilised DNA could have a role to play in the observed rapid propagation of antibiotic resistance genes in our environments.

ID: 2927382