Karina K. Sand, Molecular Geobiology

KARINA K. SAND

LEKTOR / ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

MOLECULAR GEOBIOLOGY

Bio-mineral interactions

I am an experimentalist with a geology and geochemistry background. In my group we apply in-situ molecular- to macro scale techniques to study bio-mineral interactions to improve our understanding on these topics.

Interactions between organic molecules and mineral surfaces have a range of interesting aspects. They are vital for many forms of life and essential for both organizing shell structures and for anchoring an organism to a substrate. Bio-mineral interactions can also reveal traces of past life and be controlling for large and smaller scale mineralization and have a significant influence on element cycles. Additionally, such interactions could have enhanced the RNA polymerization needed for the origin of life. Recently I have found evidence to support that interactions between DNA and minerals could have a significant contribution to the evolution of life and propagation of antibiotic resistance genes through mineral facilitated horizontal gene transfer.

I am working with microbes, biomolecules (polysaccharides, DNA, EPS), model molecules (thiol chemistry, peptoids) and a range of different minerals (clays, CaCO3, iron oxides, quartz...)