When scientists study new medicines, they look at something called ADME. This stands for Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion. Let's break down what each part means and how they study it.

1. Absorption:

   • They use special lab models, like the Caco-2 cell line, to see how well the medicine gets absorbed into the body.
   • They can predict how much will be absorbed with about 90% accuracy using tests that check how easily the medicine passes through tissues.

2. Distribution:

   • This part looks at how the medicine spreads throughout the body.
   • They calculate something called the volume of distribution. For most medicines, this number is usually between 0.5 and 4 liters for each kilogram of body weight.

3. Metabolism:

   • The liver is important for breaking down medicines.
   • About 10 to 30% of drugs go through what is called phase I metabolism in the liver.

4. Excretion:

   • Scientists study how medicines leave the body.
   • Most medicines, around 70 to 80%, are removed from the body by the kidneys.

By understanding these ADME properties, scientists can better design safe and effective medicines.