Liposome Encapsulation Services

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  Antigens Encapsulation

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  Antioxidants Encapsulation

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  Enzymes Encapsulation

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  Liposomal Encapsulation Services: DNA

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  Liposomal Encapsulation Services: Labeling Agents

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  Liposomal Encapsulation Services: miRNA

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  Liposomal Encapsulation Services: Oligonucleotide

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  Liposomal Encapsulation Services: Proteins & Peptides

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  Liposomal Encapsulation Services: siRNA

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  Liposome Encapsulation Services: Drugs

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  mRNA Encapsulation

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  siRNA, miRNA, DNA, Proteins Encapsulation

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  Vitamins & Minerals Encapsulation

Liposome encapsulation is an emerging technology in pharmaceutical and biotechnology that gives convenient delivery for a wide range of therapeutic and diagnostics. It is a multipurpose mechanism that uses liposomes – ball-shaped vesicles stacked with lipid bilayers – to package and carry active substances, including nucleic acids, proteins, peptides, drugs and vitamins. Bringing new levels of bioavailability, stability and specificity to the process, liposomes are still reinventing the world of drug discovery, diagnostics and vaccines. BOC Sciences, a leader in liposome encapsulation, provides customised solutions to address the different needs of scientists and manufacturers. We ensure optimal encapsulation results for all molecules with the most cutting edge methods and phospholipid selection.

What are the Benefits of Liposomal Encapsulation?

• Enhanced Bioavailability: Liposomal encapsulation boosts hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules' bioavailability greatly. These molecules are stored inside liposomes that encapsulate them in a lipid bilayer, so that they can be freed from enzymes and reach their target intact.
• Controlled and Targeted Delivery: Liposomes also provide for controlled and targeted drug release with the highest degree of control. This is especially useful for compounds such as siRNA, miRNA and chemotherapeutic agents that need to act on the target at a site in order to reduce off-target effects.
• Improved Solubility and Stability: Liposomal encapsulation makes poorly water-soluble molecules more soluble. What's more, the lipid bilayer protects fragile molecules like proteins, enzymes and vitamins from environmental insults such as oxidation and heat.
• Reduced Toxicity: Encapsulation lowers the overall toxicity of powerful drugs by taking them right to the desired location, decreasing the likelihood of side effects.
• Versatile Application: Liposomal structures can support a variety of cargo materials, hydrophilic and hydrophobic material so it is flexible for various industries.

Liposomal Encapsulation Services from BOC Sciences

BOC Sciences has a broad range of liposomal encapsulation services. We have experience ranging from nucleic acid delivery to the packaging of small molecule drugs and antioxidants. Our encapsulation processes are quality and consistency based on modern technologies. We are designed for all kinds of scientific and industrial requirements:

• Customizable liposome formulations
• Scalability for research and commercial production
• Comprehensive analytical characterization

Liposomal Encapsulation Technology

BOC Sciences employs state-of-the-art liposomal encapsulation technologies to ensure optimal outcomes for various applications. Our methodologies fall into three main categories:

• Mechanical Dispersion: This approach uses physical methods such as sonication and extrusion to form uniform liposomes. It is ideal for generating small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) with narrow size distributions.
• Solvent Dispersion: In solvent-based methods, lipid molecules are dissolved and subsequently hydrated to form bilayers. Techniques like ethanol injection and reverse-phase evaporation allow for precise encapsulation of hydrophilic and lipophilic cargo.
• Detergent Removal: This method involves the use of detergents to solubilize lipids, followed by gradual removal to form liposomes. It is particularly suited for sensitive bioactive compounds like enzymes and antigens.

Types of Our Liposomal Encapsulation Services

Liposomal Encapsulation Process

The liposomal encapsulation process is a highly controlled and intricate procedure that involves several steps to ensure that the encapsulated cargo - whether it be drugs, nucleic acids, proteins, or vitamins—is effectively loaded into the liposomes and maintains its integrity throughout the process. BOC Sciences employs advanced techniques to optimize the quality, efficiency, and scalability of this process.

Figure 1: Overview of liposome preparation techniques (Azucena Gonzalez Gomez. 2019).

1. Drying Lipids from Organic Solvents

The initial step in liposome encapsulation involves dissolving lipid components, typically phospholipids, in organic solvents like chloroform or methanol. These solvents are essential for achieving the correct molar ratios. After dissolving, the organic solvents are evaporated using a rotary evaporator or under reduced pressure, leaving a thin lipid film, which forms the foundation for liposome formation.

Critical Points:

• The lipid film must be uniform to ensure consistent liposome size and functionality.
• Complete solvent removal is critical to avoid interference with the final product's stability.

2. Hydration of Lipid Films

The lipid film is hydrated by adding an aqueous solution containing the cargo (e.g., drug, RNA, or protein). This process is performed under controlled conditions to ensure the lipid film swells and disperses, forming multi-lamellar vesicles (MLVs).

Critical Points:

• The aqueous medium used affects encapsulation efficiency and release profile.
• The temperature and pH of the solution must be optimized to prevent cargo degradation.

3. Resizing Liposomes

Post-hydration, the liposome suspension contains MLVs of varying sizes, typically too large for optimal performance. Techniques like sonication, extrusion, or high-pressure homogenization are used to resize the liposomes.

• Sonication: High-frequency sound waves break larger vesicles into smaller ones.
• Extrusion: The suspension passes through filters (50-400 nm) to ensure uniform liposome size.
• High-Pressure Homogenization: High pressure breaks lipid bilayers, resulting in smaller, more uniform liposomes.

Critical Points:

• Liposome size distribution is crucial for cellular uptake and controlled cargo release.
• The choice of resizing method depends on the desired size and the encapsulated compound.

4. Purification and Quality Control

After resizing, purification methods like dialysis, gel filtration, and ultracentrifugation are employed to remove unencapsulated cargo.

• Dialysis: A semipermeable membrane is used to remove unencapsulated cargo by exchanging the buffer.
• Gel Filtration: Molecules are separated by size, with liposomes being larger than free cargo molecules.
• Ultracentrifugation: Centrifugal forces separate liposomes from smaller molecules.

Critical Points:

• Purification ensures high encapsulation efficiency, essential for therapeutic or functional applications.
• Liposome size, encapsulation efficiency, and stability are monitored throughout.

5. Characterization and Quality Control of Liposomes

After purification, the liposomes are analyzed to confirm their suitability for their intended application. Key techniques include:

• Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS): Measures liposome size distribution and zeta potential, reflecting stability and surface charge.
• Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM): Visualizes liposome morphology and structure, confirming uniformity.
• Encapsulation Efficiency: Measured using UV-Vis spectrophotometry or fluorescence spectroscopy.
• Leakage Studies: Assess if the encapsulated material remains inside the vesicle under different conditions.

Critical Points:

• Characterization ensures liposomes meet application requirements, whether for drug delivery or gene therapy.
• Reproducibility in quality control is essential for consistent performance.

6. Final Formulation and Storage

After characterization, the final liposome formulation is prepared for storage or use. Lyophilization (freeze-drying) is often used for long-term storage, preserving integrity and stability by removing water under low pressure.

Critical Points:

• Lyophilization must be done carefully to avoid damaging liposome structure or cargo.
• Rehydration should be done under optimal conditions to retain liposome properties.

Why Choose BOC Sciences' Liposomal Encapsulation Services?

At BOC Sciences, we are committed to providing high-quality, customized liposome synthesis services that meet the diverse needs of our clients.

• Expertise and Experience: With over two decades in the biotechnology industry, BOC Sciences brings unmatched expertise in liposomal encapsulation. Our team of skilled scientists specializes in optimizing liposomal formulations for a variety of applications, including gene therapy, drug delivery, and research.
• Customizable Formulations: We offer tailored liposomal formulations based on the unique properties of your cargo. Whether working with nucleic acids, proteins, small molecules, or drugs, BOC Sciences adapts liposome compositions to suit your specific needs, ensuring high encapsulation efficiency and stability.
• Advanced Technology: BOC Sciences uses state-of-the-art encapsulation technologies such as thin-film hydration, reverse-phase evaporation, and solvent injection. These methods allow for high encapsulation efficiency and optimal bioavailability, making them ideal for a range of applications, including drug delivery and gene therapy.
• High Encapsulation Efficiency and Stability: Our liposomal formulations maintain high encapsulation efficiency and stability. Rigorous quality control ensures that encapsulated molecules, whether DNA, RNA, or small molecules, remain stable under storage and handling conditions, preserving their efficacy.
• Controlled Release Profiles: BOC Sciences specializes in designing liposomes that offer controlled release of encapsulated cargo. We utilize techniques like pH-sensitive and thermosensitive liposomes to ensure that active ingredients are released at the target site for maximum therapeutic effect.

FAQ of Liposomal Encapsulation Services

1. What is liposome encapsulation efficiency?

Encapsulation efficiency refers to the percentage of the active substance successfully incorporated into the liposome. High efficiency ensures that a significant amount of the drug, RNA, or protein is loaded into the liposome, which is critical for effective delivery. Efficiency depends on the liposome preparation method and the properties of the encapsulated substance.

2. How do liposomes encapsulate drugs?

Liposomes encapsulate drugs by forming a lipid bilayer structure that can carry both hydrophobic and hydrophilic substances. Drugs are incorporated during the liposome formation process through passive loading (direct incorporation) or active loading (using pH gradients or other methods). This ensures that the drug is protected and can be released effectively in target cells.

3. What is encapsulation in drug delivery system?

Encapsulation in drug delivery systems involves enclosing a drug in a carrier (e.g., liposomes, nanoparticles) to protect it, control its release, and improve bioavailability. It enables targeted delivery, stabilizes sensitive drugs, and minimizes side effects by controlling release rates and protecting against degradation.

4. What is encapsulation of hydrophilic drugs in liposomes?

Hydrophilic drugs are water-soluble substances that dissolve in aqueous environments. Encapsulation of hydrophilic drugs in liposomes involves trapping these drugs in the aqueous core of liposomes, lipid-based vesicles. This protects the drug from degradation, enhances stability, and allows controlled release, improving bioavailability and targeted delivery while reducing side effects.

Reference

1. Azucena Gonzalez Gomez. et al. Liposomal Nanovesicles for Efficient Encapsulation of Staphylococcal Antibiotics. ACS Omega. 2019, 4(6): 10866-10876.