Liposomes (Nanoparticles typically 100–500 nm in diameter) are fabricated from the self-assembly of phospholipids, which consist of a polar phosphate head group and hydrophobic lipid tails. In aqueous environments, the hydrophobic tails self-orient, resulting in a spherical structure comprised of an aqueous core surrounded by a lipophilic bilayer membrane. Liposomes are both biocompatible and biodegradable (e.g., at certain pH and temperature), which can be controlled by modifying the lipid composition. Furthermore, liposomes are amenable to various modifications that improve their efficacy as drug delivery carriers.
