Author: Akul Mehta
Abstract: Niosomes are a novel drug delivery system, in which the medication is encapsulated in a vesicle. The vesicle is composed of a bilayer of non-ionic surface active agents and hence the name niosomes. The niosomes are very small, and microscopic in size. Their size lies in the nanometric scale. Although structurally similar to liposomes, they offer several advantages over them. Niosomes have recently been shown to greatly increase transdermal drug delivery and also can be used in targeted drug delivery, and thus increased study in these structures can provide new methods for drug delivery.

Author: Akul Mehta
Abstract: Ever since the discovery of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) by Bergstrand and Czar in the year 1956, extensive research has been carried out on this molecular wonder of nature to elucidate its functions, its role and its widespread presence. This fetal component which was not commonly observed in adults was first found as a post albumin migrating protein in fetal serum. Its functions are varied from development of the fetus, where it acts as a major transport protein, to a serum marker in cancer, and its uses in the detection of congenital defects. The following discussion takes a closer look at the molecule with greater insight into its structure, its role played in the human body, its biochemical functions, and the potential uses of the AFP molecule.