liposome
Bilayer drug carrier
A liposome is a microscopic spherical sac formed by a lipid bilayer enclosing an aqueous core.
Because their structure mimics cell membranes, liposomes serve as delivery vehicles in medicine and cosmetics, carrying drugs or other substances into cells: The cancer treatment uses liposomes to target tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue.
Two-layer molecular arrangement
- vesicleSmall fluid-filled sac
- sphericalGlobe-like in form
- hydrophilicTending to absorb water
- hydrophobicRepels aqueous substances
cholesterol · aqueous · colloidal · polar · nonpolar · membrane · SUV
Surrounding on all sides
- extrusionPushing through a die
- sonicationSound-based particle agitation
- hydrationBodily fluid replenishment
- freeze-thawIce forming and melting repeatedly
thin-film · homogenization · sizing · loading · formulation · reconstitution · self-assembly
Contained within a covering
- targetedChosen for specific attention
- payloadCarried freight or charge
- cargoTransported goods
- intravenousInto the vein
systemic · transfection · mRNA · chemotherapy · vaccine · adjuvant · stealth · pharmacokinetics
Ability to transmit fluids
- stabilityResistance to displacement
- fluidityState of flowing freely
- fusionJoining into unity
- leakageUnintended fluid escape
aggregation · osmotic · rigidity · elasticity · retention · circulation · half-life · biodegradability
Submicroscopic material fragment
- nanoscaleBillionth-meter dimension
- nanosphereSpherical particle, nanoscale
- micelleSurfactant molecular cluster
- nanomedicineMolecular-level medical technology
colloid · diagnostic · imaging
Cell engulfs external material
- phagocytosisCellular ingestion of particles
- cytoplasmGel surrounding the nucleus
- receptor-mediatedInitiated through surface binding
- intracellularWithin cell membranes
bilayer
Two-layer molecular arrangement
- vesicleSmall fluid-filled sac
- sphericalGlobe-like in form
- hydrophilicTending to absorb water
hydrophobic · cholesterol · aqueous · colloidal · polar · nonpolar · membrane · SUV
encapsulation
Surrounding on all sides
- extrusionPushing through a die
- sonicationSound-based particle agitation
- hydrationBodily fluid replenishment
freeze-thaw · thin-film · homogenization · sizing · loading · formulation · reconstitution · self-assembly
encapsulated
Contained within a covering
intravenous · systemic · transfection · mRNA · chemotherapy · vaccine · adjuvant · stealth · pharmacokinetics · bioavailability
permeability
Ability to transmit fluids
leakage · aggregation · osmotic · rigidity · elasticity · retention · circulation · half-life · biodegradability · biocompatibility
nanoparticle
Submicroscopic material fragment
- nanoscaleBillionth-meter dimension
- nanosphereSpherical particle, nanoscale
- micelleSurfactant molecular cluster
nanomedicine · colloid · diagnostic · imaging
endocytosis
Cell engulfs external material
- phagocytosisCellular ingestion of particles
- cytoplasmGel surrounding the nucleus
- receptor-mediatedInitiated through surface binding
- Microscopicbacterium, virus, amoeba, paramecium, microbe
- colloidscolloid, aerosol, dispersion, emulsion, gel
- drug deliverydrug delivery, injection, time release, delayed release, capsule
- gene deliveryviral vector, lentivirus, adenovirus, retrovirus, plasmid
- liposomesSUV
- Nanotechnanoparticle, nanotube, nanowire, nanostructure, nanomaterial
some, lipid, chromosome, somatic, lipase, ribosome, lysosome, phospholipid, lipo