M: Liposome-based nanocapsules

Abstract—Here we present three different types of mechanically stable nanometer-sized hollow capsules. The common point of the currently developed systems in our laboratory is that they are lipo-some based. Biomolecules can be used to functionalize lipid vesicles to create a new type of intelligent material. For example, insertion of membrane channels into the capsule wall can modify the per-meability. Covalent binding of antibodies allows targeting of the capsule to specific sites. Liposomes loaded with enzymes may pro-vide an optimal environment for them with respect to the max-imal turnover and may stabilize the enzyme. However, the main drawback of liposomes is their instability in biological media as well as their sensitivity to many external parameters such as tem-perature or osmotic pressure. To increase their stability we follow different strategies: 1) polymerize a two-dimensional network in the hydrophobic core of the membrane; 2) coat the liposome with a polyelectrolyte shell; or 3) add surface active polymers to form mixed vesicular structures. Index Terms—Biosensor, nanocapsules, polymer network, stabi-lized liposomes. I