Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems

Photoactive Organic Materials

The Photoactive Organic Materials research team, led by Academy of Finland Research Fellow Eduardo Anaya, focuses on synthesis of optically active small molecules and subsequent (bio)conjugation into light-management materials. We are interested in applications ranging from solar energy conversion, illumination technologies and light-induced therapies in nanomedicine. The research team have a strong organic synthetic background that, with a multidisciplinary approach, place us at the interface between chemistry, physics and biology.
Photo of the Photactive Organic Materials group
Photo of the Photoactive Organic Materials group, Summer 2023 by Fotoni Film & Communication
Color photo of a person with a beard wearing dark rimmed glasses and a striped shirt

2023 Thieme Chemistry Journal Awardees (external link)

Presented to up-and-coming researchers in the early stages of their independent academic careers.

Dean Kruus

Chem Awards 2022 are chosen

The School of Chemical Engineering rewards outstanding individuals and teams during the year.

News
Eduardo Anaya pelaa rugbya, kuva: Aki-Pekka Sinikoski

Introducing... Eduardo Anaya Plaza (external link)

A new type of profile focusing on first-time corresponding authors. With hundreds of such authors a year, there are many new faces to celebrate.

Koeputkia, joissa on eri värisiä nesteitä.

A greener route to blue – a new method drastically reduces the amount of solvent needed to produce widely used organic dyes

Phthalocyanines dyes can be produced with solid-state synthesis instead of high-boiling organic solvents.

News
  1. Organic synthesis of photoactive molecular and supramolecular materials
  2. Development of biohybrid systems for light-induced therapies
  3. Synthesis of light-activated self-sterilizing materials
  4. Energy conversion technologies
  5. Green chemistry of dyes
Photo shows a gloved hand holding a small container of colored liquid, with two similar containers of different colors in the background.
Photo of solvatochromic dyes by Fotoni Film & Communication

Ongoing research projects

Photoactive protein cage biohybrids for light-induced applications

Funded by the Academy of Finland during September 2021 through August 2026, the Photocage project aims to develop a set of high-end materials based on the encapsulation of highly-emitting fluorophores within protein cages.

The core of this project lies in the thorough design, synthesis and study of organic molecules, and the study of the delicate interplay that governs their behaviour in solution, leading to enhanced properties and interaction with the media. Advanced properties, such as generation of singlet oxygen, will be obtained through chemical design. The fundamental knowledge generated will set a novel path toward multimodal and interdisciplinary compounds with potential applications in a broad range of fields like light emitting devices or nanomedicine.

Photocage

Related publications

Past research projects

SolarSafeLight-mediated self-sterilizing composite cellulosic materials

This project aims to develop self-sterilizing, yet biodegradable, materials, by merging the photoinactivation properties of organic photosensitizers with mechanical properties of cellulose. The team expects that the photoantimicrobial composite film coatings can be applied on various surfaces and utilized in packaging, filters or masks. This project is a collaboration between the Biohybrid Materials group and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, funded by the FinnCERES Flagship of the Academy of Finland.

BiHyOMat

BioHybrid Optoelectronic Materials

BiHyOMat is an ambitious research project at the interface of chemistry, physics and biology, aiming to produce novel high-end materials for medical and environmental applications. The reversible conjugation of proteins and light absorbing molecules combine the biocompatibility and defined structure of the former with the light-induced properties of the later. In particular, fluorescence and generated of reactive oxygen species have extensive application in sensors, photodynamic therapy or waste-water treatment. This project was funded under the H2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions – Individual Fellowship.

Members

Eduardo Anaya

Academy Research Fellow
[email protected]

Daniel Langerreiter

Doctoral Researcher
[email protected]
+358505355684

Alba Sanz Velasco

Doctoral researcher

Sharon Liisa Anneli Saarinen

Doctoral researcher

Otso Ilmari Valfrid Luotonen

Doctoral Researcher

Group pictures

Photoactive Organic Materials group picture 2021

Alumni:

  • Kristina Gasthofer (2023, project student)
  • Ahmed Shaukat (2023 PhD Thesis, 2019 MSc Thesis, 2018 Summer intern)
  • Mikko Korkiakoski (2023 MSc. thesis)
  • Obed Rodriguez-Perez (2023 summer intern and part-time project worker)
  • Aya Kähäri (2022 project student and 2023 summer intern)
  • Anniina Savolainen (2023 MSc. Thesis) 

  • Inka Lehtonen (2019 BSc. Thesis)

Selected publications:

  1. A Greener Route to Blue: Solid‐State Synthesis of Phthalocyanines
    Daniel Langerreiter, Mauri A Kostiainen, Sandra Kaabel*, Eduardo Anaya‐Plaza*
    Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2022, 61, e202209033. HOT article. 
  2. Supercharged Fluorescent Protein-Apoferritin Cocrystals for Lighting Applications
    Marta Patrian, Ahmed Shaukat, Mattia Nieddu, Jesus Agustin Banda-Vazquez, Jaakko VI Timonen, Juan Pablo Fuenzalida Werner*, Eduardo Anaya-Plaza*, Mauri A Kostiainen*, Ruben D Costa*
    ACS Nano, 2023, 17, 21, 21206-21215
  3. Simultaneous Organic and Inorganic Host‐Guest Chemistry within Pillararene‐Protein Cage Frameworks
    Ahmed Shaukat, Eduardo Anaya‐Plaza, Ngong Kodiah Beyeh, Mauri A Kostiainen
    Chemistry - A European Journal, 2022, 28, e202104341. HOT article.
  4. A Janus-Type Phthalocyanine for the Assembly of Photoactive DNA Origami Coatings
    Asma Rahali, Ahmed Shaukat, Verónica Almeida-Marrero, Bassem Jamoussi, Andrés De La Escosura, Tomás Torres*, Mauri A Kostiainen*, Eduardo Anaya-Plaza*
    Bioconjugate Chemistry, 2021, 32, 1123-1129.
  5. Phthalocyanine–Virus Nanofibers as Heterogeneous Catalysts for Continuous‐Flow Photo‐Oxidation Processes
    Eduardo Anaya‐Plaza, Ana Aljarilla, Grégory Beaune, Nonappa, Jaakko VI Timonen, Andres de la Escosura, Tomas Torres, Mauri A Kostiainen
    Advanced Materials, 2019, 31, 1902582

Complete publication list (last five years)

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Related research and articles

Biohybrid Materials

Group led by Professor Mauri Kostiainen

CCMV AuNP lattice

A sport for gentleman thugs

Rugby is a tough contact sport that requires players to absorb constant hits while maintaining absolute trust in their teammates in every situation – not unlike research work.

Kolme miestä pelaamassa rugbyä, kuva: Aki-Pekka Sinikoski

Dyes and viruses create new composite material for photooxidation reactions

A recent study shows that native viruses can be employed as a scaffold to immobilise photoactive molecules to potentially oxidise organic pollutants present in wastewater, under visible light irradiation

Photoactive rod-like virus bundle schematic
  • Published:
  • Updated: