LIPOSOMES - FROM MEMBRANE MODELS TO GENE-THERAPY

Liposomes, which are self-closed vesicular structures composed of(phos pho)lipid bilayers, have attracted considerable interest since their d iscovery in the 60's. Because of their organization and the versatilit y of their physicochemical properties these vesicles have been extensi vely studied as models for biological membranes. Since liposomes can s equester bioactive molecules, they are also widely used as drug delive ry systems. The present report focuses on the renewed interest in the field with the advent of ''sterically stabilized'' (Stealth(R)) liposo mes which, compared to ''conventional'' liposomes, have much longer ci rculation times in vivo, and on the use of cationic liposomes in non-v iral gene delivery strategies. Liposomes are also very promising antig en carriers that can be used to design peptide-based synthetic vaccine s.