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you

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ready?

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you

you

ready?

ready?

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you

ready?

ready?

STACKO GROUP

STACKO GROUP

ORGANIC PHOTOCHEMISTRY LABORATORY

ORGANIC PHOTOCHEMISTRY LABORATORY

ORGANIC PHOTOCHEMISTRY LABORATORY

Dive into our colorful world where we craft organic dyes into photocages that deliver and activate drugs with tissue-penetrating light as a trigger. Our tools help unravel biological processes and advance drug delivery solutions.

Dive into our colorful world where we craft organic dyes into photocages that deliver and activate drugs with tissue-penetrating light as a trigger. Our tools help unravel biological processes and advance drug delivery solutions.

PHOTO CHEMISTRY

PHOTO CHEMISTRY

PHOTO CHEMISTRY

  • We just launched our new website!

    22

    NOV

    ‘23

  • Dominika Zielinska joins our team. She will be leading our biology pipeline. Welcome Dominika!

    01

    NOV

    ‘23

  • We enjoyed the visit and chat with Dr. Alexandre Fürstenberg from the University of Geneva.

    01

    NOV

    ‘23

  • Our latest work on deuterated cyanines prepared jointly with the group of Justin Caram is now on ChemRxiv. Check it out!

    19

    OCT

    ‘23

  • Chat with Peter at the SCS Fall meeting in vonRoll Areal at University of Bern.

    24

    Aug

    ‘23

  • Fabienne Bänziger and Delia Meier successfully defend their bachelor theses. Excellent job and congrats!

    11

    AUG

    ‘23

  • We prepared a little booth showcasing our research to the young talents at International Chemistry Olympiad.

    21

    JUL

    ‘23

  • Bastian joins our group as a postdoc to solve pharmacokinetic issues with our photocages. Welcome!

    01

    May

    ‘23

  • Thomas Krack joins us for a 9-month adventure to get his MSc degree!

    01

    APR

    ‘23

  • Peter visited University of Geneva to talk about the fresh results from our lab!

    23

    FEB

    '23

  • We just launched our new website!

    22

    NOV

    ‘23

  • Dominika Zielinska joins our team. She will be leading our biology pipeline. Welcome Dominika!

    01

    NOV

    ‘23

  • We enjoyed the visit and chat with Dr. Alexandre Fürstenberg from the University of Geneva.

    01

    NOV

    ‘23

  • Our latest work on deuterated cyanines prepared jointly with the group of Justin Caram is now on ChemRxiv. Check it out!

    19

    OCT

    ‘23

  • Chat with Peter at the SCS Fall meeting in vonRoll Areal at University of Bern.

    24

    Aug

    ‘23

  • Fabienne Bänziger and Delia Meier successfully defend their bachelor theses. Excellent job and congrats!

    11

    AUG

    ‘23

  • We prepared a little booth showcasing our research to the young talents at International Chemistry Olympiad.

    21

    JUL

    ‘23

  • Bastian joins our group as a postdoc to solve pharmacokinetic issues with our photocages. Welcome!

    01

    May

    ‘23

  • Thomas Krack joins us for a 9-month adventure to get his MSc degree!

    01

    APR

    ‘23

  • Peter visited University of Geneva to talk about the fresh results from our lab!

    23

    FEB

    '23

  • We just launched our new website!

    22

    NOV

    ‘23

  • Dominika Zielinska joins our team. She will be leading our biology pipeline. Welcome Dominika!

    01

    NOV

    ‘23

  • We enjoyed the visit and chat with Dr. Alexandre Fürstenberg from the University of Geneva.

    01

    NOV

    ‘23

  • Our latest work on deuterated cyanines prepared jointly with the group of Justin Caram is now on ChemRxiv. Check it out!

    19

    OCT

    ‘23

  • Chat with Peter at the SCS Fall meeting in vonRoll Areal at University of Bern.

    24

    Aug

    ‘23

  • Fabienne Bänziger and Delia Meier successfully defend their bachelor theses. Excellent job and congrats!

    11

    AUG

    ‘23

  • We prepared a little booth showcasing our research to the young talents at International Chemistry Olympiad.

    21

    JUL

    ‘23

  • Bastian joins our group as a postdoc to solve pharmacokinetic issues with our photocages. Welcome!

    01

    May

    ‘23

  • Thomas Krack joins us for a 9-month adventure to get his MSc degree!

    01

    APR

    ‘23

  • Peter visited University of Geneva to talk about the fresh results from our lab!

    23

    FEB

    '23

  • We just launched our new website!

    22

    NOV

    ‘23

  • Dominika Zielinska joins our team. She will be leading our biology pipeline. Welcome Dominika!

    01

    NOV

    ‘23

  • We enjoyed the visit and chat with Dr. Alexandre Fürstenberg from the University of Geneva.

    01

    NOV

    ‘23

  • Our latest work on deuterated cyanines prepared jointly with the group of Justin Caram is now on ChemRxiv. Check it out!

    19

    OCT

    ‘23

  • Chat with Peter at the SCS Fall meeting in vonRoll Areal at University of Bern.

    24

    Aug

    ‘23

  • Fabienne Bänziger and Delia Meier successfully defend their bachelor theses. Excellent job and congrats!

    11

    AUG

    ‘23

  • We prepared a little booth showcasing our research to the young talents at International Chemistry Olympiad.

    21

    JUL

    ‘23

  • Bastian joins our group as a postdoc to solve pharmacokinetic issues with our photocages. Welcome!

    01

    May

    ‘23

  • Thomas Krack joins us for a 9-month adventure to get his MSc degree!

    01

    APR

    ‘23

  • Peter visited University of Geneva to talk about the fresh results from our lab!

    23

    FEB

    '23

OUR VISION & MISSION

CRAFTING PHOTOCAGES TO UNLOCK CONTROL OVER BIOLOGY

CRAFTING PHOTOCAGES TO UNLOCK CONTROL OVER BIOLOGY

CRAFTING PHOTOCAGES TO UNLOCK CONTROL OVER BIOLOGY

Imagine medicine where we have a full control over where and when a drug is active. What if we could personalize treatments based on genetic information of patients and tailor it to a specific mutation of diseases? Next-generation drugs that are delivered and activated only at a specific location in the body using tissue-penetrating light as a non-invasive stimulus. These aspects form the long-term vision that drives our research forward.

We're committed to breaking down scientific barriers! Our goal is to make our research available to a wide range of specialists outside our field, especially in the areas of biology and medicine.

We're committed to breaking down scientific barriers! Our goal is to make our research available to a wide range of specialists outside our field, especially in the areas of biology and medicine.

Our overarching objective is to advance the boundaries of medicine by unlocking novel photochemical tools that open new therapeutic avenues, but also enhance the existing ones.

Our overarching objective is to advance the boundaries of medicine by unlocking novel photochemical tools that open new therapeutic avenues, but also enhance the existing ones.

Our philosophy centers on creating accessible tools through simple design, concise and scalable synthesis, and late-stage functionalization - key factors to widespread adoption.

Our philosophy centers on creating accessible tools through simple design, concise and scalable synthesis, and late-stage functionalization - key factors to widespread adoption.

We're committed to breaking down scientific barriers! Our goal is to make our research available to a wide range of specialists outside our field, especially in the areas of biology and medicine.

Our overarching objective is to advance the boundaries of medicine by unlocking novel photochemical tools that open new therapeutic avenues, but also enhance the existing ones.

Our philosophy centers on creating accessible tools through simple design, concise and scalable synthesis, and late-stage functionalization - key factors to widespread adoption.

ORGANIC DYES

ORGANIC DYES

ORGANIC DYES

ORGANIC DYES

Our focus centers on organic dyes which are established in biology, especially cyanines and phthalocyanines. We develop synthetic methods to provide novel structural motifs and study how these structural variations impact their photophysical and photochemical behavior. Besides their application in photocages, such findings are valuable in adjacent fields including bioimaging, biosensing, diagnostics, or solar cells.

Our focus centers on organic dyes which are established in biology, especially cyanines and phthalocyanines. We develop synthetic methods to provide novel structural motifs and study how these structural variations impact their photophysical and photochemical behavior. Besides their application in photocages, such findings are valuable in adjacent fields including bioimaging, biosensing, diagnostics, or solar cells.

PHOTOCAGES

PHOTOCAGES

PHOTOCAGES

PHOTOCAGES

We re-engineer these dyes into photocages, light-sensitive groups, that take advantage of light as a stimulus to unmask and restore activity of a molecule (e.g. drug). Light offers many advantages — it can be precisely controlled in both space and time, does not interfere with other biochemical stimuli, and avoids the generation of harmful waste products. These aspects are especially valuable in a biological environment.

We re-engineer these dyes into photocages, light-sensitive groups, that take advantage of light as a stimulus to unmask and restore activity of a molecule (e.g. drug). Light offers many advantages — it can be precisely controlled in both space and time, does not interfere with other biochemical stimuli, and avoids the generation of harmful waste products. These aspects are especially valuable in a biological environment.

NEAR-INFRARED LIGHT

NEAR-INFRARED LIGHT

NEAR-INFRARED LIGHT

NEAR-INFRARED LIGHT

We use near-infrared light (700-900 nm) as a non-invasive trigger for our photocages. Similar to what your TV remote control uses, such light is invisible to the human eye but can penetrate deep into human tissue. This is because it is not blocked by natural biomolecules like hemoglobin, skin pigments, or vitamins. Yet photons in this region carry limited energy, posing a challenge in breaking the bonds required to release molecules.

We use near-infrared light (700-900 nm) as a non-invasive trigger for our photocages. Similar to what your TV remote control uses, such light is invisible to the human eye but can penetrate deep into human tissue. This is because it is not blocked by natural biomolecules like hemoglobin, skin pigments, or vitamins. Yet photons in this region carry limited energy, posing a challenge in breaking the bonds required to release molecules.

DELIVERY & UNCAGING

DELIVERY & UNCAGING

DELIVERY & UNCAGING

DELIVERY & UNCAGING

After light activation, the bond between the photocage and a payload molecule is disrupted, restoring its original activity and properties. Besides investigating structural features responsible for effective release, our efforts focus on expanding the photocage arsenal. As a result, we will be able to control not only drugs, but also peptides, nucleotides and other biologically important molecules.

After light activation, the bond between the photocage and a payload molecule is disrupted, restoring its original activity and properties. Besides investigating structural features responsible for effective release, our efforts focus on expanding the photocage arsenal. As a result, we will be able to control not only drugs, but also peptides, nucleotides and other biologically important molecules.

SEIZING THE CONTROL

SEIZING THE CONTROL

SEIZING THE CONTROL

SEIZING THE CONTROL

By giving us the ability to regulate when and where a drug becomes active, photocages let us take command of biological processes. In addition to that, they can be used to temporarily enhance the properties of a drug - for example, we can improve its solubility in water, or ability to cross a cell membrane, increasing its absorption by cells.

By giving us the ability to regulate when and where a drug becomes active, photocages let us take command of biological processes. In addition to that, they can be used to temporarily enhance the properties of a drug - for example, we can improve its solubility in water, or ability to cross a cell membrane, increasing its absorption by cells.

LIGHT IN A HEARTBEAT

LIGHT IN A HEARTBEAT

LIGHT IN A HEARTBEAT

LIGHT IN A HEARTBEAT

In a recent proof-of-concept, we manipulated the beating frequency of cardiac cells. After exposure to near-infrared (NIR) light, our photocage delivers and releases commercial drug Effortil® - a cardiac stimulant used to combat low blood pressure. Released Effortil stimulates the cells and causes them to beat faster as observed by the microscope. We achieved this effect at sub-micromolar concentration of the photocage and low dose of light.

In a recent proof-of-concept, we manipulated the beating frequency of cardiac cells. After exposure to near-infrared (NIR) light, our photocage delivers and releases commercial drug Effortil® - a cardiac stimulant used to combat low blood pressure. Released Effortil stimulates the cells and causes them to beat faster as observed by the microscope. We achieved this effect at sub-micromolar concentration of the photocage and low dose of light.

DARK

NIR LIGHT

DARK

NIR LIGHT

DR. PETER ŠTACKO

DR. PETER ŠTACKO

DR. PETER ŠTACKO

DR. PETER ŠTACKO

SNSF AMBIZIONE GROUP LEADER

SNSF AMBIZIONE GROUP LEADER

SNSF AMBIZIONE GROUP LEADER

CV

Peter Štacko (1987), originally from Slovakia, received his Master’s degree in Organic Chemistry from Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic (2011). Following a short internship in La Roche, Basel and an Erasmus stay in Netherlands, he then moved to Groningen to pursue his PhD at Rijkuniversiteit Groningen in the group of Professor Ben L. Feringa (2012–2016). Throughout his PhD, he explored the translational and rotational motion on nanoscale using molecular motors and machines. In 2017, Peter received a Marie-Curie-funded fellowship (SoMoPro) to work as a postdoctoral fellow with Professor Petr Klán at Masaryk University, Czech Republic on gasotransmitter-donors (CO, H2S) actuated with light. As of December 2020, Peter started his independent research career at the University of Zurich, funded by the Ambizione fellowship from the Swiss National Science Foundation, and hosted in the group of Professor Cristina Nevado

Peter Štacko (1987), originally from Slovakia, received his Master’s degree in Organic Chemistry from Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic (2011). Following a short internship in La Roche, Basel and an Erasmus stay in Netherlands, he then moved to Groningen to pursue his PhD at Rijkuniversiteit Groningen in the group of Professor Ben L. Feringa (2012–2016). Throughout his PhD, he explored the translational and rotational motion on nanoscale using molecular motors and machines. In 2017, Peter received a Marie-Curie-funded fellowship (SoMoPro) to work as a postdoctoral fellow with Professor Petr Klán at Masaryk University, Czech Republic on gasotransmitter-donors (CO, H2S) actuated with light. As of December 2020, Peter started his independent research career at the University of Zurich, funded by the Ambizione fellowship from the Swiss National Science Foundation, and hosted in the group of Professor Cristina Nevado

  • THE TEAM

  • Marina Russo

    postdoc fellow

    Marina Russo

    Jan 2022

    Marina is an enthusiastic chemist, who never gives up on non-working reactions! When not immersed in this big passion, you can find her on the yoga mat or making her hands dirty in the garden. She loves creating culinary masterpieces in the kitchen. Her friends say that she is the go-to person for chill vibes and delicious homemade meals.

  • Katarzyna Hanc

    PhD student

    Katarzyna Hanc

    Sep 2022

    Katarzyna Hanc, born in 1996 in Poland. In 2020, she graduated with a master’s degree in chemistry at Jagiellonian University in Krakow specializing in Photochemistry and Optical Spectroscopy working on photocatalytic rearrangement reactions. In 2021 she joined a research company in Krakow to gain more experience in the art of organic synthesis. Since September 2022 she continues as a PhD candidate in Peter Štacko group at UZH, working on dual-action photocages. In the free time looking for serenity in the care of a small jungle in her flat or dreaming about travelling.

  • THE TEAM

  • Marina Russo

    postdoc fellow

    Marina Russo

    Jan 2022

    Marina is an enthusiastic chemist, who never gives up on non-working reactions! When not immersed in this big passion, you can find her on the yoga mat or making her hands dirty in the garden. She loves creating culinary masterpieces in the kitchen. Her friends say that she is the go-to person for chill vibes and delicious homemade meals.

  • Katarzyna Hanc

    PhD student

    Katarzyna Hanc

    Sep 2022

    Katarzyna Hanc, born in 1996 in Poland. In 2020, she graduated with a master’s degree in chemistry at Jagiellonian University in Krakow specializing in Photochemistry and Optical Spectroscopy working on photocatalytic rearrangement reactions. In 2021 she joined a research company in Krakow to gain more experience in the art of organic synthesis. Since September 2022 she continues as a PhD candidate in Peter Štacko group at UZH, working on dual-action photocages. In the free time looking for serenity in the care of a small jungle in her flat or dreaming about travelling.

  • Hana Janeková

    PhD student

    Hana Janeková

    Jan 2021

    My passion for chemistry evolved during high school while participating in Chemistry Olympiad. I received Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Master’s degree in Organic chemistry from Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia (2014 – 2019). After spending a year in industry, I started PhD in Organic Photochemistry in the beginning of 2021 in the newly forming group of Dr. Peter Štacko at the University of Zurich funded by SNF Ambizione. In my free time I love hiking, painting, and crocheting/knitting.

  • YOU!

  • Dominika Zielińska

    postdoc fellow

    Dominika Zielińska

    Nov 2023

  • Joseph Kölbel

    MSc student

    Joseph Kölbel

    Sep 2022

  • Hana Janeková

    PhD student

    Hana Janeková

    Jan 2021

    My passion for chemistry evolved during high school while participating in Chemistry Olympiad. I received Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Master’s degree in Organic chemistry from Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia (2014 – 2019). After spending a year in industry, I started PhD in Organic Photochemistry in the beginning of 2021 in the newly forming group of Dr. Peter Štacko at the University of Zurich funded by SNF Ambizione. In my free time I love hiking, painting, and crocheting/knitting.

  • YOU!

  • Dominika Zielińska

    postdoc fellow

    Dominika Zielińska

    Nov 2023

  • Joseph Kölbel

    MSc student

    Joseph Kölbel

    Sep 2022

  • Bastian Jakob

    postdoc fellow

    Bastian Jakob

    May 2023

  • Thomas Krack

    MSc student

    Thomas Krack

    Apr 2023

    I earned my bachelor's degree in Chemistry from the University of Zurich in 2022, with my Bachelor thesis conducted in the Nevado group on the topic of asymmetric carbamoylation of C-H bonds. Afterwards, I joined the Štacko group, where I am currently involved in research centered on cyanine-based photocages. Outside the lab, I find enjoyment in activities such as watching movies, miniature painting and playing video games.

  • THE TEAM

  • Bastian Jakob

    postdoc fellow

    Bastian Jakob

    May 2023

  • Thomas Krack

    MSc student

    Thomas Krack

    Apr 2023

    I earned my bachelor's degree in Chemistry from the University of Zurich in 2022, with my Bachelor thesis conducted in the Nevado group on the topic of asymmetric carbamoylation of C-H bonds. Afterwards, I joined the Štacko group, where I am currently involved in research centered on cyanine-based photocages. Outside the lab, I find enjoyment in activities such as watching movies, miniature painting and playing video games.

  • THE TEAM

  • THE TEAM

  • Hana Janeková

    PhD student

    Hana Janeková

    Jan 2021

    My passion for chemistry evolved during high school while participating in Chemistry Olympiad. I received Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Master’s degree in Organic chemistry from Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia (2014 – 2019). After spending a year in industry, I started PhD in Organic Photochemistry in the beginning of 2021 in the newly forming group of Dr. Peter Štacko at the University of Zurich funded by SNF Ambizione. In my free time I love hiking, painting, and crocheting/knitting.

  • Marina Russo

    postdoc fellow

    Marina Russo

    Jan 2022

    Marina is an enthusiastic chemist, who never gives up on non-working reactions! When not immersed in this big passion, you can find her on the yoga mat or making her hands dirty in the garden. She loves creating culinary masterpieces in the kitchen. Her friends say that she is the go-to person for chill vibes and delicious homemade meals.

  • Katarzyna Hanc

    PhD student

    Katarzyna Hanc

    Sep 2022

    Katarzyna Hanc, born in 1996 in Poland. In 2020, she graduated with a master’s degree in chemistry at Jagiellonian University in Krakow specializing in Photochemistry and Optical Spectroscopy working on photocatalytic rearrangement reactions. In 2021 she joined a research company in Krakow to gain more experience in the art of organic synthesis. Since September 2022 she continues as a PhD candidate in Peter Štacko group at UZH, working on dual-action photocages. In the free time looking for serenity in the care of a small jungle in her flat or dreaming about travelling.

  • Bastian Jakob

    postdoc fellow

    Bastian Jakob

    May 2023

  • Dominika Zielińska

    postdoc fellow

    Dominika Zielińska

    Nov 2023

  • YOU!

  • Joseph Kölbel

    MSc student

    Joseph Kölbel

    Sep 2022

  • Thomas Krack

    MSc student

    Thomas Krack

    Apr 2023

    I earned my bachelor's degree in Chemistry from the University of Zurich in 2022, with my Bachelor thesis conducted in the Nevado group on the topic of asymmetric carbamoylation of C-H bonds. Afterwards, I joined the Štacko group, where I am currently involved in research centered on cyanine-based photocages. Outside the lab, I find enjoyment in activities such as watching movies, miniature painting and playing video games.

OUR LATEST WORK

OUR LATEST WORK

OUR LATEST WORK

OUR LATEST WORK

JOIN US

JOIN US

JOIN US

JOIN US

Interested?

We would like to hear more

Applications to join our research group

Applications to join our research group from outstanding and enthusiastic master students, PhD and postdoctoral candidates are always welcome. Funding options are available on university and national levels.

Applications to join our research group from outstanding and enthusiastic master students, PhD and postdoctoral candidates are always welcome. Funding options are available on university and national levels.

from outstanding and enthusiastic master

students, PhD and postdoctoral candidates

are always welcome. Funding options are

available on university and national levels.

We support highly motivated bachelor and

We support highly motivated bachelor and master students, and have research projects available - whether to do your thesis or just do an internship.

We support highly motivated bachelor and master students, and have research projects available - whether to do your thesis or just do an internship.

master students, and have research projects

available - whether to do your thesis or

just do an internship.

about you by e-mail. Include a cover letter,

Interested? We would like to hear more about you by e-mail. Include a cover letter, CV, research summary, and transcripts of grades. Please note that only applications compiled as a single PDF will be considered.

Interested? We would like to hear more about you by e-mail. Include a cover letter, CV, research summary, and transcripts of grades. Please note that only applications compiled as a single PDF will be considered.

CV, research summary, and transcripts of

grades. Please note that only applications

compiled as a single PDF will be considered.

LET'S MAKE CRAZY

SCIENCE TOGETHER!

GET IN TOUCH, START A COLLABORATION OR JUST VISIT US

LET'S MAKE CRAZY

SCIENCE TOGETHER!

GET IN TOUCH, START A COLLABORATION OR JUST VISIT US

LET'S MAKE CRAZY

SCIENCE TOGETHER!

GET IN TOUCH, START A COLLABORATION OR JUST VISIT US

LET'S MAKE CRAZY

SCIENCE TOGETHER!

GET IN TOUCH, START A COLLABORATION OR JUST VISIT US

UNIVERSITY OF ZURICH

CAMPUS IRCHEL, LAB Y38 J97

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

WINTERTHURERSTRASSE 190

ZURICH, CH-8057

SWITZERLAND

PETER.STACKO@UZH.CH

+41 44 635 39 57

We are located in the brand new chemistry building Y38 of UZI5 in the Campus Irchel of the University of Zurich, which is about 20 minutes away from both the airport Zurich-Kloten and the main railway station (SBB HB). The Irchel Campus is best reached from the tram station Milchbuck - accessible by tramline 10 from the airport, or tramlines 7 and 10 from the railway station.

We are located in the brand new chemistry building Y38 of UZI5 in the Campus Irchel of the University of Zurich, which is about 20 minutes away from both the airport Zurich-Kloten and the main railway station (SBB HB). The Irchel Campus is best reached from the tram station Milchbuck - accessible by tramline 10 from the airport, or tramlines 7 and 10 from the railway station.

We are located in the brand new chemistry building Y38 of UZI5 in the Campus Irchel of the University of Zurich, which is about 20 minutes away from both the airport Zurich-Kloten and the main railway station (SBB HB). The Irchel Campus is best reached from the tram station Milchbuck - accessible by tramline 10 from the airport, or tramlines 7 and 10 from the railway station.

OUR RESEARCH IS POSSIBLE ONLY

THANKS TO

THESE ORGANIZATIONS

OUR RESEARCH IS POSSIBLE ONLY

THANKS TO

THESE ORGANIZATIONS

OUR RESEARCH IS POSSIBLE ONLY

THANKS TO

THESE ORGANIZATIONS

OUR RESEARCH IS POSSIBLE ONLY

THANKS TO

THESE ORGANIZATIONS

© 2023 Designed and developed by Peter Štacko. All rights reserved.