Virosome

**Semantic type:** Drug Delivery Device

**Definition:** Virosomes are reconstituted influenza virus (A/Singapore) envelopes. The membrane of these vesicles consists of a spherical, unilamellar lipid bilayer. Purified influenza envelope glycoproteins (hemagglutinin HA and neuramindase NA) are inserted into the lipid bilayer. Virosomes with a bilayer consisting of neutral phospholipids can be used as an unspecific or a specific drug carrier system, while positively charged vesicles can be used as a transfer system for any genetic materials.

**Synonyms:** - Virosomes