Abstract

Liposomes are vesicles comprised of phospholipid bilayer membranes enclosing an aqueous internal space. Liposomes are useful for study as a model system to investigate the effects of laser radiation at the molecular level, since their structure and properties are similar to natural membranes and vesicles. Such quantitative data assist in achieving a better fundamenta understanding of the processes involving energy transfer from the electronic and vibrational states as it relates to procedures such as laser surgery or selective photo-induced biological modifications at the cellular or subcellular level (either for research or clinical treatment). In addition, lipid vesicles are under clinical study as potential carriers for the delivery of therapeutic agents.

© 1993 Optical Society of America