This compound is primarily used in biochemical research as a specialized amino acid analog. It is often incorporated into peptides and proteins to study their structure and function, particularly in enzyme-substrate interactions. Its thiazole ring makes it useful for probing active sites of enzymes or as a building block in synthetic biology to create novel biomolecules with unique properties. Additionally, it can serve as a precursor in the synthesis of more complex heterocyclic compounds, which are valuable in medicinal chemistry for drug discovery and development. Its applications also extend to studying metabolic pathways and amino acid transport mechanisms in cells.