Karina Krarup Sand

Karina Krarup Sand is an Associate Professor at the University of Copenhagen's Globe Institute, specifically within the Section for Geogenetics. Her research bridges geology, biology, and chemistry to investigate the critical interactions between organic molecules and mineral surfaces, with particular focus on environmental DNA preservation and its implications for understanding life's origins and antibiotic resistance mechanisms.

Her research interests span multiple interdisciplinary fields including geochemistry, environmental DNA analysis, mineral-biomolecule interactions, and the role of mineral surfaces in the origin and evolution of life. Dr. Sand employs advanced techniques such as liquid cell atomic force microscopy (in imaging mode, chemical force microscopy, and dynamic force spectroscopy) combined with FTIR, XRD, and electron-based approaches to quantify polymer-mineral interactions at microscopic scales.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong research trajectory focused on understanding how mineral surfaces influence environmental DNA preservation, horizontal gene transfer, and antibiotic resistance dissemination. Her work connects fundamental geochemical processes with contemporary environmental and medical challenges, particularly the rapid propagation of antibiotic resistance genes in natural environments.

Dr. Sand maintains an active research program with numerous collaborative projects, as evidenced by her substantial publication record including 49 research outputs across various formats (journal articles, conference presentations, book chapters, and digital media productions). Her research group appears to be investigating the potential contribution of mineral-stabilized DNA to the origin and evolution of life, as well as the role of mineral surfaces in bacterial evolution and antibiotic resistance dissemination.