Dirk H. Trauner

Check out our latest paper on efficacy photoswitches that can locally light up opioid receptors, thus avoiding unwanted central and peripheral side effects (respiratory depression, constipation). Great collaboration with Levitz (Weill Cornell), @CorneliusGati (UCX) and @sevakat1 (USC)

cell.com/cell/fulltext/…

A light-activated morphine derivative relieves pain in mice. You better invest in tanning salons. cen.acs.org/biological-che…

I am thrilled about the Nobel Prize for Optogenetics. Congrats to Peter, Georg, and Karl! And I’m happy that the Nobel committee correctly portrayed the role Chemistry played in the development of this field: nobelprize.org/uploads/2026/1…

Nuclear Receptors and Photopharmacology are a great match. Check out our latest work on glucocorticoid receptors, in a wonderful collaboration with the De Bosscher lab: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/an…

The Department of Chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the broadly defined area of organic chemistry. I have the honor of chairing the search committee.
apply.interfolio.com/192648