Used in research as a dipeptide building block for synthesizing larger peptides and proteins. Serves as a model compound for studying glutamine metabolism and gamma-glutamyl cycle in cellular systems. Applied in biochemical assays to investigate enzyme activity, particularly gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, which plays a role in glutathione metabolism. Also explored in nutrient formulations for cell culture due to its role in amino acid transport and intracellular antioxidant production.