liposomes
Fatty membrane bubbles
Liposomes are microscopic spherical structures made of fatty molecules arranged in layers, with a water-containing core.
They form naturally when certain lipids contact water, creating tiny bubbles that can carry substances inside them.
In medicine and cosmetics, liposomes deliver drugs or nutrients through the skin or into cells: The cream uses liposomes to penetrate deeper skin layers.
They're valued because their lipid structure mimics cell membranes, allowing them to merge with cells and release their contents.
Two-layer molecular arrangement
- vesicleSmall fluid-filled sac
- membraneThin tissue sheet
- phospholipidPhosphate-containing membrane lipid
- hydrophobicRepels aqueous substances
hydrophilic · cholesterol · fluidity · permeability · curvature · size · nanoparticle · self-assembly
Surrounding on all sides
- targetedChosen for specific attention
- carrierOne that transports
- drugActive chemical compound
- releaseTo let go
therapy · payload · bioavailability · pharmacokinetics · endocytosis · uptake · accumulation · circulation
Skin-applied beauty substances
- skincareComplexion maintenance regimen
- vaccinesPreparations conferring immunity
- gene therapyMedical DNA modification treatment
- chemotherapyAnti-cancer drug treatment
antifungal · anticancer · mRNA · transfection · adjuvant · topical · dermal · transdermal
Pushing through a die
- sonicationSound-based particle agitation
- hydrationBodily fluid replenishment
- thin-filmUltra-shallow material layer
- homogenizationMaking things the same
freeze-thaw · purification · dialysis · characterization · sizing
bilayer
Two-layer molecular arrangement
- vesicleSmall fluid-filled sac
- membraneThin tissue sheet
- phospholipidPhosphate-containing membrane lipid
hydrophobic · hydrophilic · cholesterol · fluidity · permeability · curvature · size · nanoparticle · self-assembly
encapsulation
Surrounding on all sides
release · therapy · payload · bioavailability · pharmacokinetics · endocytosis · uptake · accumulation · circulation · half-life
cosmetics
Skin-applied beauty substances
- skincareComplexion maintenance regimen
- vaccinesPreparations conferring immunity
- gene therapyMedical DNA modification treatment
chemotherapy · antifungal · anticancer · mRNA · transfection · adjuvant · topical · dermal · transdermal · nutraceutical
extrusion
Pushing through a die
- sonicationSound-based particle agitation
- hydrationBodily fluid replenishment
- thin-filmUltra-shallow material layer
homogenization · freeze-thaw · purification · dialysis · characterization · sizing