Liposomes are microscopic vesicles developed in several laboratory settings. These are known to have outer walls made up of lipids that are similar and may even be identical to those that compose the cell walls. These are what will allow them to safely interact with the body cells. There are several applications in which liposome is commonly used and these are on body areas, deliveries of medications and genetic research.

These microscopic vesicles were first developed by the British researcher known as Alec Bangham during the 1960s. According to history, he was merely experimenting with a new laboratory device and happened to make noted observations about the cell wall structure. Using the acquired notes, he managed to come up with liposomes. A lot of researchers have been working with the structures ever since, struggling to develop and gather new details about them.

All cell membranes are created with double layers of phospholipids. These have tails that are repelled by water and heads drawn by it. Cell walls, however, have tails and heads that form a circle of two layers all around cells. Their heads face out to the body and their tails are connected with one another, prompting the heads of the opposite side to direct towards the cell. This is positioning is similar to those of liposome walls.

Liposomes may be utilized for packing medication, DNA, vaccines and various other important substances. The moment they will be induced into the body, body cells will engage with them, prompting the payload delivery. The ability of liposomes to shield weak cells against harsh drugs is one reason as to why they are usually considered by many. They are non-toxic as well so drug deliveries shall not result to any reaction.

In most laboratory settings, liposomes will be utilized for the transport of DNA into particular target cells. This is more often preferred by researchers as compared to using bacterial and viral vectors for genetic modifications because it entails more advantages. Many lab experiments also suggest that these vesicles may be utilized for delivering gene therapies for patients. Such will constitute delivering replacement DNAs for damaged materials.

These vesicles may also be utilized as carriers for nutritional and dietary supplements. They are known to come with hydrophilic and lypophilic nutrients which make them effective in bypassing destructive elements brought about by the gastric system. Such makes it possible for encapsulated nutrients to reach the cells as well as the tissues.

These microscopic vesicles can also be utilized in the field of cosmetics. They are known to hold so much effects especially when used as moisturizing agents because they increase both strength and efficacy of products. As with developments within the scientific community, they are considered great advertising points in various ingredient lists.

Methods for the preparation of liposomes depend on several parameters. These parameters include the physicochemical characteristics possessed by the materials intended to be entrapped, the medium used to disperse the lipid vesicles, concentration of entrapped substances, optimum size, shelf-life and polydispersity of vesicles. The reproducibility of the liposomal products will also hold impact on the methods to be used.

Advancements in the research of liposome have allowed the vesicle to become undetected by the immune system in the body. These types are commonly referred to as stealth liposomes. They are created with PEG or Polyethylene Glycol outside their membranes.