WHAT ARE LIPOSOMES?

Liposomes were discovered by accident. They were created under an electron microscope after dye was added to dry phospholipids. Naturally the lipids aggregated and formed vesicles. Liposomes are basically small vesicles whose membrane resembles that of a lipid bilayer. In fact, liposomes can be created from the same types of phospholipids found in cell membranes. Not all lipids in liposomes are naturally occurring, some are synthetic. The Lipids used in liposomes include: sphingolipids, bioactive, fluorescent, sterols, and fatty acid modified lipids.





HOW ARE THEY CREATED?

WITH   A LITTLE   LUV, OF   COURSE!
There are four types of liposomes: MLV (multilamellar vesicle), SUV (small unilamellar vesicle), LUV (large unilamellar vesicle), and MVV (multivesicular vesicle). These vesicles are formed by forcing hydrated lipids through pores (extrusion) or by sonicating the lipid solution. In more recent years, liposomes have been created through the use of microfluidics.




WHAT ARE THEY USED FOR?

 Most liposomes are filled with either a liquid or crystalline substance core. Micelles result as the aggregation of hydrophobic tails in the absence of aqueous core. Liposomes can be tailored by using different lipid components and embedding proteins to the membrane (fluorescent image: liposomes with embedded proteins). Liposomes can be used in different applications depending on the tailored properties. Some of these functions include:
  • Drug delivery
  • Gene delivery (transfection)
  • Artificial cells
  • Ultrasound Imaging / Diagnostic imaging
  • Specific Cell targeting
  • Cancer treatment


STEALTH LIPOSOMES>>>>