LUISA ALESSIO, SCIENTIFIC DIRECTORATE FFC RICERCA

May 18, 2026

Biological membranes are typically composed of lipids that have a hydrophilic head (which attracts water) and two hydrophobic tails (which repel it). In aqueous environments, these molecules spontaneously organize to shield their tails from the surrounding liquid. Today, synthetic chemistry makes it possible to design molecules with different structures that can assemble in new and more stable ways compared to natural systems. Among these are bolalipids, a class of synthetic lipids characterized by one or two water-interacting ends and a central segment that avoids water, allowing them to self-assemble into ordered structures.

A study published in the international journal Biophysical Journal (here), coordinated by Sheref Mansy and supported by the FFC Ricerca strategic project GenDel-CF, investigated the behavior of specific bolalipids in comparison with conventional lipids, to understand how they organize in aqueous environments and on surfaces. In particular, the researchers distinguished between symmetric and asymmetric forms to examine how their assembly differs. Using physicochemical techniques, they analyzed both solution behavior and surface interactions, showing that chemical structure plays a key role in determining final properties. Environmental factors such as pH were also found to influence whether the molecules form more compact, more open, or aggregated structures. Moreover, their behavior proved to be dynamic rather than fixed, adapting to external conditions.

One of the most interesting findings is that, unlike conventional lipids, which typically form micellar structures (small solid spheres), bolalipids can assemble into stable vesicles—tiny hollow spheres resembling microscopic bubbles. These “bubbles” behave uniquely when they come into contact with a surface: they are highly stable yet possess a remarkably dynamic interface. This combination of stability and flexibility makes them particularly intriguing, as it suggests they may interact with cellular membranes in ways that differ from traditional systems.

Looking ahead, this opens up important opportunities in biotechnology and medicine, particularly for drug delivery and advanced therapies. Vesicles of this kind could protect active compounds during transport within the body and enable more targeted release, thereby improving treatment efficacy while reducing side effects.