A range of well defined, pure, highly surface-active but non-hemolyzing fluorinated amphiphiles has recently been synthesized. Fluorocarbon chains strongly enhance the hydrophobic effect that induces the organization of amphiphiles into bilayer membranes, and supplement it with a lipophobic effect as well. This leads to an augmented tendency for fluorinated amphiphiles to selfassemble into vesicles (liposomes), tubules and other supramolecular aggregates when dispersed in water and other solvents. Fluorinated bilayers and vesicles are generally more stable and less permeant than those made from hydrocarbon analogs. The presence of a fluorinated film inside the liposomal membrane also has significant repercussions on the behavior of the liposomes in a biological milieu and on their in vivo recognition.