Liposomes are microscopic vesicles with an outer wall composed of lipids similar to cell walls, allowing direct interaction with cells. They have numerous applications, including targeted drug delivery and genetic research. Liposomes were first developed in 1961 by Alec Bangham, who observed the structure of cell walls. Liposomes can protect delicate cells from aggressive drugs and are non-toxic. They can also be used to transfer DNA into target cells and deliver gene therapy. Liposomes are also used in cosmetics as effective moisturizers.
Liposomes are microscopic vesicles developed in a laboratory setting. Each liposome has an outer wall composed of lipids similar and sometimes identical to those that make up the cell wall, allowing the liposomes to interact directly with cells. There are numerous applications for liposomes, ranging from targeted drug delivery to specific areas of the body to genetic research in the laboratory.
Liposome was first developed by a British researcher, Alec Bangham, in 1961. According to legend, he was experimenting with new laboratory equipment and made a well-known observation about cell wall structure and developed liposomes at the same time. Numerous other researchers have worked with these structures since then, developing new information about them along with potential uses.
Natural cell membranes, as Bangham learned, are made up of a bilayer of phospholipids. Each phospholipid has a head that is attracted to water and a tail that is repelled by it, and in the case of the cell wall, the heads and tails form a two-layered circle around the cell. The heads face the body, while the tails connect to each other, allowing the heads on the other side to face the cell. The same goes for the walls of liposomes.
The inside of a liposome can be filled with drugs, vaccines, DNA and a variety of other substances. When liposomes are introduced into the body, they can mesh with various cells, delivering their payload. An advantage of using liposomes is that they can be used to protect delicate cells from aggressive drugs and are believed to be non-toxic, so the method of drug delivery shouldn’t cause a reaction.
In the laboratory, liposomes have been used to transfer DNA into target cells. This allows researchers to use liposomes rather than viral or bacterial vectors to make genetic modifications, which has some distinct advantages. Lab experiments also suggest that liposomes could be used to deliver gene therapy to patients, with cells making replacement DNA for damaged material, up to entire chromosomes.
Besides being used in science and medicine, the liposome also shows up in cosmetics. These structures are particularly effective for moisturizers, greatly increasing the strength and effectiveness of such products. Like many developments initiated in the scientific community, they are also used as an advertising point in ingredient lists, as some cosmetics consumers prefer products associated with science and medicine.
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