Liposomes are the artificial bubbles or vesicles which are usually spherical in shape. They are formed from the combination of certain natural phospholipids and cholesterol. There are those with a single bilayer while others have numerous bilayers. The phospholipid layers are concentric and usually entrap aqueous regions. They mainly serve the purpose of encapsulating hydropihilic molecules contained within the aqueous solution. A common example of non-toxic bisphosphate is clodronate which is widely used in human applications.
They entrap DNA by two mechanisms and are classified as either cationic or pH-sensitive. Cationic are charged positively and interact with DNA molecules of a negative charge to form a strong complex. These liposomes contain a positively charged lipid and helper lipid (co-lipid). The co-lipids or helper lipids play an important role in stabilizing the resulting liposome complex. Some of the positively charged lipid formulations such as lipofectin are found in the market. The complexes facilitate the process of gene transfer.
A pH sensitive liposome has a negative charge and usually captures the DNA molecule and no complex is formed. This is due to the different charges on the lipid and the DNA molecule which repel each other. They are not able to function well in low pH since they are destabilized by it. To ensure effective functioning of these liposomes, it is important to ensure there is interference from serum proteins and toxins.
There are a number of things that enable them to perform effective transfer of genes. Their high affinity for molecules facilitates the formation of complexes with molecules of negative and positive charges. They shield the DNA molecules from the effect of degradative processes. They carry large molecules which can be directed towards a given target. They are also not affected by factors inherent with viral vectors.
In addition to drug and gene delivery applications, liposomes can be designed for use as carriers for delivering dyes to textiles, cosmetics to the skin, pesticides to plants, nutritional supplements and enzymes to foods. Their use in nano cosmetology has many benefits. These include improved diffusion and penetration of active ingredients, longer release time, selective transport of the active ingredients, high biocompatibility, greater stability of the ingredients and reduction of side effects.
The can be manufactured in a number of ways. In order to ensure those manufactured are effective, there are factors that are put into consideration. It is important to consider the physiochemical properties of the entrapped medium and liposomal ingredients, the concentration and toxicity and the medium of lipid dispersion. The effect of additional processes involved in its application has to be taken into account
Factors such as the composition of lipids, size and the number of bilayers have a direct impact on fluidity, stability, structure and permeability. These factors can however be modified depending on the requirements of the procedure. External factors such as temperature and ionic strength are also significant.
Liposomes are used in various biotechnological applications. Research is underway to determine other areas where it can be applied. The current increasing interest in liposomes in numerous scientific disciplines together with their application in immunology, medicine, cosmetic ecology, diagnostics, food and the cleansing industry are very promising. In the medical field, they are used to protect and deliver therapeutic agents into the body or to specific cells of the body.
They entrap DNA by two mechanisms and are classified as either cationic or pH-sensitive. Cationic are charged positively and interact with DNA molecules of a negative charge to form a strong complex. These liposomes contain a positively charged lipid and helper lipid (co-lipid). The co-lipids or helper lipids play an important role in stabilizing the resulting liposome complex. Some of the positively charged lipid formulations such as lipofectin are found in the market. The complexes facilitate the process of gene transfer.
A pH sensitive liposome has a negative charge and usually captures the DNA molecule and no complex is formed. This is due to the different charges on the lipid and the DNA molecule which repel each other. They are not able to function well in low pH since they are destabilized by it. To ensure effective functioning of these liposomes, it is important to ensure there is interference from serum proteins and toxins.
There are a number of things that enable them to perform effective transfer of genes. Their high affinity for molecules facilitates the formation of complexes with molecules of negative and positive charges. They shield the DNA molecules from the effect of degradative processes. They carry large molecules which can be directed towards a given target. They are also not affected by factors inherent with viral vectors.
In addition to drug and gene delivery applications, liposomes can be designed for use as carriers for delivering dyes to textiles, cosmetics to the skin, pesticides to plants, nutritional supplements and enzymes to foods. Their use in nano cosmetology has many benefits. These include improved diffusion and penetration of active ingredients, longer release time, selective transport of the active ingredients, high biocompatibility, greater stability of the ingredients and reduction of side effects.
The can be manufactured in a number of ways. In order to ensure those manufactured are effective, there are factors that are put into consideration. It is important to consider the physiochemical properties of the entrapped medium and liposomal ingredients, the concentration and toxicity and the medium of lipid dispersion. The effect of additional processes involved in its application has to be taken into account
Factors such as the composition of lipids, size and the number of bilayers have a direct impact on fluidity, stability, structure and permeability. These factors can however be modified depending on the requirements of the procedure. External factors such as temperature and ionic strength are also significant.
Liposomes are used in various biotechnological applications. Research is underway to determine other areas where it can be applied. The current increasing interest in liposomes in numerous scientific disciplines together with their application in immunology, medicine, cosmetic ecology, diagnostics, food and the cleansing industry are very promising. In the medical field, they are used to protect and deliver therapeutic agents into the body or to specific cells of the body.
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