Used in biochemical research to study enzyme mechanisms, particularly those involving aspartate aminotransferase. It serves as a substrate analog to investigate metabolic pathways related to amino acid synthesis and degradation. Also applied in the development of inhibitors for enzymes involved in diseases like cancer and neurological disorders. Its role in peptide synthesis and protein engineering makes it valuable for creating modified biomolecules with specific functions. Additionally, it is explored in the study of calcium-binding proteins due to its structural similarity to aspartic acid.