Used extensively in cell biology research to label and track DNA synthesis in proliferating cells. It serves as a thymidine analog that gets incorporated into newly synthesized DNA during the S-phase of the cell cycle. This incorporation allows researchers to visualize and quantify cell proliferation using fluorescence detection methods, often through click chemistry with fluorescent azide dyes. It is particularly valuable in studies involving stem cells, cancer biology, and tissue regeneration due to its high sensitivity and specificity. Unlike older methods such as bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling, it does not require DNA denaturation for detection, preserving cell structure and enabling better compatibility with other staining techniques.