Recent Developments

Question 1

What is a “Liposome”? Why it was recently(2014) in news?

Answer 1

1. A liposome is a VESICLE (tiny bubble), made out of the same material as a cell membrane.

> DRUG DELIVERY APPLICATION: Liposomes can be filled with drugs, and used to deliver drugs for cancer and other diseases.

2. Lipos-Au-NPs [= Liposome+Gold(=Au)+Nano-particles], 5 nanometers (nm) developed by IIT-B in collaboration with Dr Abhijit De (ACTREC : Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research & Education in Cancer, Navi Mumbai)

> can be used as a DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM i.e. They can carry & release CANCER DRUGS targeted at specific tissues in a time controlled manner.

> are biologically safe BIODEGRADABLE i.e. Recyclable by the the human body & does not accumulate in kidneys,

> NON-INVASIVE i.e. Does not kill healthy tissues.

> INJECTABLE

> > clinical trials on humans yet to be performed (Sep 2014)