Cytochalasin E is primarily used in biological research to study cellular processes. It inhibits actin polymerization, which makes it a valuable tool for investigating the role of actin in cell motility, shape, and division. Researchers use it to disrupt the cytoskeleton, allowing them to observe the effects on cell behavior and function. Additionally, it has been employed in studies related to cancer research, as it can inhibit cell migration and invasion, providing insights into metastasis. Its ability to block actin dynamics also makes it useful in developmental biology to understand tissue formation and organogenesis.