It is important to know the bilayer configuration and the phase transition temperature of the lipid before deciding on the liposome composition. For instance, phosphatidylethanolamine, which is useful for conjugation of proteins and dyes via the phospholipid amino group, tends to form hexagonal phases instead of bilayers. Therefore, in order to produce liposomes from this lipid it is usually combined with other lipids. Other structures such as cholesterol, gangliosides (GM1) and sphingomyelin can also be included to alter liposome properties and confer stability.

Our laboratories are equipped to manufacture and characterise liposomes by a variety of methods depending mainly on the properties of the species to be encapsulated and the desired characteristics of the particles for the customer`s particular application.
Typical production methods are:

extrusion via polycarbonate membranes controlled detergent dialysis sonication thin film hydration french pressure cell reverse phase evaporation

It is sometimes necessary to use a combination of methods to ensure efficient encapsulation. Many types of lipids, including natural and synthetic, can be used along with sterols such as cholesterol to aid stability. Given below are some standard compositions which can be used to produce liposomes with a variety of properties. Formulations are tailored to suit the customer`s individual application and some of the characteristics which may be tailored are surface charge, size and transition temperatures.