Kirsten Sandvig (Biology)
Kirsten Sandvig studies binding and intracellular transport of protein toxins from bacteria and plants. These toxins include the bacterial Shiga and diphtheria toxins, as well as plant toxins such as abrin, ricin, modeccin and viscumin.
Interactions of toxins with cells are studied to learn more about intracellular transport in general, to investigate protein translocation across membranes, to study toxins in particular with respect to their use as cancer-specific drugs, and to learn more about the intoxication process of these molecules. This is not only of interest in connection with infectious diseases, but also in connection with the investigation of cell signalling and apoptosis.
Although all of the toxins bind to cells and inhibit protein synthesis after entry into the cytosol, they do have additional effects on the cells.