liposome

noun

li·​po·​some ˈlī-pə-ˌsōm  ˈli- 

: an artificial vesicle composed of one or more concentric phospholipid bilayers and used especially to deliver microscopic substances (such as drugs or DNA) to body cells

liposomal

ˌlī-pə-ˈsō-məl 

ˌli-

adjective

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

In the three decades since, researchers have repeatedly demonstrated that liposomes can transport DNA repair enzymes into skin cells. —Robbie Gonzalez, WIRED, 2 July 2018

Soon, researchers were using liposomes to smuggle DNA repair enzymes into the skin cells of human test subjects. —Robbie Gonzalez, WIRED, 2 July 2018

This particular bubble has a gas core and is coated with liposomes, or small spherical sacs, containing a drug. —Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 14 Feb. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

liposome

noun

li·​po·​some ˈlip-ə-ˌsōm  ˈlī-pə- 

1

: one of the fatty droplets in the cytoplasm of a cell

2

: an artificial vesicle that is composed of one or more concentric phospholipid bilayers and is used especially to deliver microscopic substances (as DNA or drugs) to body cells

liposomal

ˌlip-ə-ˈsō-məl  ˌlī-pə- 

adjective