Molecular Weight - Cancer Science

What is Molecular Weight?

Molecular weight, also known as molecular mass, is the sum of the atomic masses of all atoms in a molecule. It is usually measured in Daltons (Da) or unified atomic mass units (u). Molecular weight is a critical factor in various biological and chemical processes, including drug design, protein engineering, and the study of cancer.

Why is Molecular Weight Important in Cancer Research?

In the context of cancer, molecular weight plays a significant role for several reasons:
Drug Delivery: The molecular weight of therapeutic agents can influence their ability to penetrate cell membranes and reach tumor sites.
Pharmacokinetics: Understanding the molecular weight helps in predicting how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted from the body.
Protein Interaction: The molecular weight of proteins, including oncogenes and tumor suppressors, can affect their function and interaction with other cellular components.

How Does Molecular Weight Affect Drug Delivery?

Drugs with different molecular weights have varying abilities to penetrate biological barriers such as cell membranes and the blood-brain barrier. Low molecular weight compounds (



Relevant Publications

Partnered Content Networks

Relevant Topics