X-ray mapping of minerals incorporated into liposomes

Liposomes are spherical particles in an aqueous medium formed by a lipid bilayer enclosing an aqueous compartment. They have been long considered as a potential delivery device in the medical and pharmaceutical industries due to their ability to encapsulate different compounds, as the lipids form into liposomes. The ability of these liposomes to be stored in the body, and to be taken up by cells, makes them ideal for drug delivery. They can also potentially increase the efficiency of supplements, particularly those with no accumulation toxicity. Our research work aims to explore the variations in the mineral deposits formed, by preparing liposomes in modified calcifying buffers. The overall aim of the work is to prepare calcium loaded liposomes which can then be functionalised to target the bone, and due to the localised delivery increase the efficiency of calcium supplementation. This is of particular significance for patients with a low bone mineral density such as those with osteoporosis, where calcium supplementation is still the first line of treatment. This paper will deal with the characterisation of the liposomes and the investigation of the type of minerals that develop within the liposomes.