Highly ordered ring-like structures are formed via the directed assembly of lipid domains in supported bilayers, using the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin. The ability of biological molecules to guide nanoscale assembly suggests potential biomimetic approaches to nanoscale structures.
Unilamellar liposomes composed of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) were prepared by the reverse-phase
evaporation method and extrusion through a polycarbonate membrane filter. Liposomes at 0.7 mg/mL lipid concentration
in deionized water were exposed to gamma irradiation at a dose in the range 0.5 to 25 kGy. Gamma irradiation of
liposomes resulted in the degradation of DPPC lipids into free fatty acids, lysophosphatidylcholine and 1,2-palmitoylphosphatidic
acid (DPPA). The effect of gamma irradiation towards the physical stability of liposomes was investigated
by means of dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and zeta potential analysis. From
the DLS analysis, no significant changes were observed in the hydrodynamic size of liposomes. TEM images indicate that
the liposomes surface became smoother and rounder as higher irradiation doses were applied. Zeta potential analysis
showed that gamma irradiation of DPPC liposomes at radiation doses as low as 0.5 kGy resulted in a drastic rise in the
magnitude of the zeta potential. The results also demonstrate that gamma irradiation of liposomes suspension enhanced
the overall stability of liposomes. Hence, it can be concluded that gamma irradiation on DPPC liposomes may potentially
produce liposomes with higher stability.