Immobilization of small liposomes on polymer gel beads and controlled detachment of the liposomes from the support was described. Liposomes were immobilized on the gel with hydrophobic anchors that contained disulfide linkage. The liposomes were then detached by reductive cleavage of the linkage with dithiothreitol. The major part of the fluorescein-conjugated dextran encapsulated in the liposomes was retained throughout the immobilization-detachment process.