84NIOSOME: A MAGIC TOOL FOR DRUG DELIVERYTreatment of infectious diseases and immunisation has undergone a revolutionary shift in recent years. Not only a large number of disease-specific biological have been developed, but also emphasis has been made to effectively deliver these biological. Niosomes represent an emerging class of novel vesicular systems. Niosomes are self assembled vesicles composed primarily of synthetic surfactants and cholesterol. Niosomes are biodegradable, biocompatible, non immunogenic and exhibit flexibility in their structural characterization. Niosomes have been widely evaluated for controlled release and targeted del ivery for the treatment of cancer, viral infections and other microbial diseases. Encapsulation of drug in vesicular system can be predicted to prolong the existence of drug in the systemic circulation and enhance penetration into target tissue, perhaps re duces toxicity if selective uptake can be achieved. This article presents an overview of the techniques of preparation of niosome, merits and demerits of niosomes, types of niosomes, structural components of niosomes, characterisation and their applications.shreedevihm935@gmail.com Research522015Bilayer,Cholesterol,Niosomes, Novel vesicular system,Non-ionic surface active agentH. M. Shreedevi,J. Adlin Jino Nesalin,T. Tamizh ManiDepartment of Pharmaceutics, Bharathi College of Pharmacy, Bharathi nagar, Maddur Taluk, Mandya District, Karnataka, India.,Department of Pharmaceutics, Bharathi College of Pharmacy, Bharathi nagar, Maddur Taluk, Mandya District, Karnataka, India.,Department of Pharmaceutics, Bharathi College of Pharmacy, Bharathi nagar, Maddur Taluk, Mandya District, Karnataka, India.