Sandvig has been studying binding and intracellular transport of protein toxins from bacteria and plants. These toxins include the bacterial toxins Shiga toxin and diphtheria toxin as well as plant toxins such as abrin, ricin, modeccin and viscumin.

The interactions of the 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 of interest in connection with infectious diseases, but also of interest in connection with 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 cells.

Kirsten Sandvig Group click to enlarge image

 

 

Group contact information:
Kirsten Sandvig, Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Cancer Research
The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Montebello, 0310 Oslo, Norway
Phone +47 22 78 18 28 (Sandvig), Switchboard: +47 22 93 40 00
Email: ksandvig@imbv.uio.no