Light Sensitive Liposomes

Two phospholipids were designed and synthesized that have the property of forming liposomes which undergo a dramatic increase in permeability when irradiated with light (360 nm). Liposomes prepared from these phospholipids leak 100% of entrapped aqueous space marker, carboxyfluorescein, when irradiated for 30‐120 s (average light intensity 50 W/m 2 ). Liposomes not irradiated showed much lower rates of temperature dependent release. Such liposomes may be useful as biochemical tools or drug delivery systems in vitro and in vivo.