Fabrication and functionalization of lipid tubular microstructures

Introduction The fabrication methods and functionalization of lipid tubes are described. The fabrication methods of lipid tubes were classified into three categories, i.e. self-assembly of lipid molecules, microfluidic way to form tubes and stretching of giant v esicles using an electric field. The functionalization of lipid tubes was summarized as metallization and deposition of inor ganic silica onto tube surface, encapsulation of nanoparticles into hollow cylindrical tube of tubular microstructures, and embedding nanoparticles into the wall of lipid tubes to form functional nanocomposites or nanostructures. The applications of these nano- and microstructures are also given. This review gives a brief overview of the interesting field of lipid tubes. Conclusion The fabrication of tubular microstructures demonstrated the precise self-assembly property of lipid molecules. To explore a new universal fabrication method for lipid tubes is still a direction of this field. Templating technology using lipid tubular microstructures is a promising route to make diverse nanostructures. Duo to the high biocompatibility of lipid tubes, they can be designed as drug carriers to encapsulate hydrophilic molecules inside the tube or hydrophobic molecules within the lipid bilay er for drug delivery in biomedical research.