In our bodies, there are many structures which keep us alive. Liposomes are one of these structures which can occur naturally, however we are able to make them artificially as well. They have been noted to be particularly useful in medicine, for example in the treatment of cancer and HIV. As you will find out, this is due to their ability to release drugs into the cells of our body.
The outer membrane of a vesicle consists of exactly the same substance as the cell membranes of our body. This is a substance called a phospholipid, which forms the outer membrane of these structures, forming a 'bubble' shape. A phospholipid contains a phosphate group and fats. A liposome is actually made from cells which have been damaged. Inside this circular structure usually contains a solution of chemicals dissolved in water.
The naming of this structure derives from two Greek words. One is 'lipo' meaning fat or fat tissue. The other is 'soma', which has the meaning of 'body'. This is because a liposome is made primarily from fats.
A haematologist with the name of Dr Alec D Bangham first discovered these structures. The discovery was made in 1961 by Bangham and his colleague, who were testing a new electron microscope. They did this by dyeing phospholipids in a dark liquid which did not allow light to pass through it. They then discovered the structure and wrote a Biological paper about them, published in 1964.
These vesicles have a very interesting property. Because they are made from the same substance as the outer layer of our cells, they are able to fuse with our body cells and become integrated into their membrane. This therefore releases the contents into the cell.
This is where these phospholipid structures is helpful. The active chemicals within drugs is often unable to pass through the cell membrane, and therefore cannot enter a diseased cell to cure it. However, if placed inside these vesicles, the contents, including drugs will be released into the cell in order to act on any diseased areas.
It is because of this that the development of new cancer drugs began to occur. A tumour has a very loose outer wall. On the other hand, the normal cells of vascular tissue are very tightly packed. Because of this, a small liposome can enter a tumour and release its contents into cancer cells. The contents are usually drugs which stop the cancer cells dividing.
The man made creation of these structure is sometimes found to be both timely and costly. This is because a company may have to hire many experts to consider the property of the drug they are wanting to place inside the 'bubble', and the size of the structure they want to create, as if it is too large, it may not be able to release the drugs onto the correct area.
It cannot be denied that since their discovery in 1961, liposomes have become more and more linked with medical research. Due to the recent research into their uses involving cancer and HIV treatment, it could be said that further research into these structures is becoming increasingly important, as it may not be the last we have heard of them.
The outer membrane of a vesicle consists of exactly the same substance as the cell membranes of our body. This is a substance called a phospholipid, which forms the outer membrane of these structures, forming a 'bubble' shape. A phospholipid contains a phosphate group and fats. A liposome is actually made from cells which have been damaged. Inside this circular structure usually contains a solution of chemicals dissolved in water.
The naming of this structure derives from two Greek words. One is 'lipo' meaning fat or fat tissue. The other is 'soma', which has the meaning of 'body'. This is because a liposome is made primarily from fats.
A haematologist with the name of Dr Alec D Bangham first discovered these structures. The discovery was made in 1961 by Bangham and his colleague, who were testing a new electron microscope. They did this by dyeing phospholipids in a dark liquid which did not allow light to pass through it. They then discovered the structure and wrote a Biological paper about them, published in 1964.
These vesicles have a very interesting property. Because they are made from the same substance as the outer layer of our cells, they are able to fuse with our body cells and become integrated into their membrane. This therefore releases the contents into the cell.
This is where these phospholipid structures is helpful. The active chemicals within drugs is often unable to pass through the cell membrane, and therefore cannot enter a diseased cell to cure it. However, if placed inside these vesicles, the contents, including drugs will be released into the cell in order to act on any diseased areas.
It is because of this that the development of new cancer drugs began to occur. A tumour has a very loose outer wall. On the other hand, the normal cells of vascular tissue are very tightly packed. Because of this, a small liposome can enter a tumour and release its contents into cancer cells. The contents are usually drugs which stop the cancer cells dividing.
The man made creation of these structure is sometimes found to be both timely and costly. This is because a company may have to hire many experts to consider the property of the drug they are wanting to place inside the 'bubble', and the size of the structure they want to create, as if it is too large, it may not be able to release the drugs onto the correct area.
It cannot be denied that since their discovery in 1961, liposomes have become more and more linked with medical research. Due to the recent research into their uses involving cancer and HIV treatment, it could be said that further research into these structures is becoming increasingly important, as it may not be the last we have heard of them.
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