Some biologically active substances are unstable and poorly soluble in aqueous media, at the same time exhibiting low bioavailability. The incorporation of these biologically active compounds into the structure of a lipid-based lyotropic liquid crystalline phase or nanoparticles can increase or improve their stability and transport properties, subsequent bioavailability, and applicability in general. The aim of this short overview is (1) to clarify the principle of self-assembly of lipidic amphiphilic molecules in an aqueous environment and (2) to present lipidic bicontinuous cubic and hexagonal phases and their current biosensing (with a focus on electrochemical protocols) and biomedical applications.

Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Palacky University Hnevotinska 3 775 15 Olomouc Czech Republic

Faculty of Chemistry University of Warsaw Pasteura 1 02 093 Warsaw Poland

Interfaces Team Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry Faculty of Chemistry University of Lodz Tamka 12 91 403 Lodz Poland

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