liposome

biology

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June 30, 2026

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A liposome is an artificial vesicle made of phospholipid bilayers, used to deliver substances like drugs or DNA into cells. Lipids, which are organic compounds like fats and oils, are crucial for biological systems. They are hydrophobic, meaning they don't mix well with water, but some are amphipathic, having both water-attracting and water-repelling parts.12

This amphipathic nature allows lipids to form structures like cell membranes, which are bilayers of phospholipid molecules that act as barriers and gates for cells. When certain phospholipids are placed in water, they spontaneously form liposomes, which are spherical structures with concentric bilayers. This self-assembly property is fundamental to the formation of cellular membranes.324

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Membrane lipids
…spontaneously form globular structures called liposomes. Investigation of the liposomes shows them to be made of concentric spheres, one sphere inside of another and each forming half of a bilayered wall. A bilayer is composed of two sheets of phospholipid molecules with all of the molecules of each sheet aligned…
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…spontaneously form globular structures called liposomes. Investigation of the liposomes shows them to be made of concentric spheres, one sphere inside of another and each forming half of a bilayered wall. A bilayer is composed of two sheets of phospholipid molecules with all of the molecules of each sheet aligned…
Read More