Giant unilamellar vesicles

Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) are large, hollow spheres made of a single layer of lipid molecules, similar to the outer membrane of cells. They are used in scientific research to study cell behaviors and membrane properties because they mimic real cell membranes but are easier to observe and manipulate. GUVs are typically microscopic but large enough to see with regular microscopes, allowing scientists to explore how membranes bend, fuse, and interact with other molecules in a controlled environment. They are valuable tools for understanding fundamental biological processes and developing drug delivery systems.