Polymerizable lipids for preparing vesicles that controllably release an encapsulant

摘要

The present invention provides novel polymerizable lipids and mixtures thereof with non-polymerizable lipids and methods for the controlled release of encapsulated materials using stabilized or polymerized vesicles. Release is induced by pH, ions, temperature, light or other changes in the environment. Time release mechanisms are also employed. Applications of the present invention especially include encapsulation of enzymes and their subsequent sustained release for degradation of environmental pollutants, encapsulation of fluorescent markers for use in sensor systems, and encapsulation and release of fragrant molecules in detergents.