8-ArmPEG-Mal

8-ArmPEG-Mal is a polyethylene glycol derivative that contains eight arms or branches, each terminated with a maleimide functional group. Functional groups are specific groups of atoms within a molecule that determine its chemical and physical properties and reactivity. In the case of 8-ArmPEG-Mal, the maleimide functional group is an electrophilic group, meaning that it is attracted to nucleophilic groups, such as thiols (-SH) in proteins.

The maleimide functional group in 8-ArmPEG-Mal makes it a valuable tool in pharmaceutical research and development. It can be used to modify proteins by conjugating them to other molecules, such as drugs or labels, through the formation of a covalent bond. This modification can improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the drug, as well as increase its specificity and selectivity towards the target. Additionally, 8-ArmPEG-Mal can be used to immobilize proteins onto surfaces, such as microarrays, for high-throughput screening applications.