Lipid Vesicles and Other Polymolecular Aggregates—From Basic Studies of Polar Lipids to Innovative Applications

Lipid vesicles (liposomes) are a unique and fascinating type of polymolecular aggregates, obtained from bilayer-forming amphiphiles—or mixtures amphiphiles—in an aqueous medium. Unilamellar consist one single self-closed bilayer membrane, constituted by the amphiphiles internal volume which is trapped this bilayer, whereby vesicle often spherical with typical desired average diameter either about 100 nm or tens micrometers. Functionalization external surface, basically achievable at will, possibilities entrapping hydrophilic molecules inside or/and embedding hydrophobic compounds within resulted in various applications different fields. This review highlights few basic studies on phase behavior polar lipids, some concepts for controlled formation lipid as dispersed lamellar phase, properties vesicles, challenges efficiently loading them use delivery systems, nutraceuticals, bioassays, cell-like compartments. Many large number have laid solid ground aggregates amphiphilic including, example, cubosomes, bicelles or—recently most successfully—nucleic acids-containing nanoparticles. All continued importance fundamental studies. The life-saving application mRNA nanoparticle COVID-19 vaccines part based year-long vesicles. It illustrates considering (i) details chemical structure involved, well (ii) physical, (iii) engineering, (iv) biological, (v) pharmacological, (vii) economic aspects. Moreover, strong demand interdisciplinary collaboration field related also excellent convincing example teaching students complex molecular systems.