DYNAMIC STRUCTURES OF LIPOSOMES VISUALIZED BY VIDEO MICROSCOPY

Abstract

Dynamic processes of morphological transformation of liposome were visualized by sensitive dark-field light microscopy, to study the formation mechanisms of vesicular organelles. We found that the liposomes transformed, depending on the external conditions, in a well-defined sequential manner through several specific transformation pathways, depending on the external conditions, A circular biconcave form, which is the initial shape of all pathways observed, transformed in to a flexible thin filament or small spheres via a variety of transient forms which possessed geometrical symmetry. Osmotic pressure was the driving force of the morphological transformation of the liposome.