Bafilomycin A1 is widely used in research to study cellular processes, particularly in the field of autophagy. It acts as a potent inhibitor of vacuolar-type ATPases (V-ATPases), which are essential for acidifying intracellular compartments like lysosomes and endosomes. By blocking V-ATPase activity, it disrupts lysosomal function and prevents the degradation of autophagic cargo, making it a valuable tool for understanding autophagy mechanisms. Additionally, it is employed in studies related to cancer, as it can induce apoptosis in certain cancer cells by interfering with lysosomal activity. Bafilomycin A1 is also used in microbiology to investigate the role of pH in bacterial and viral infections, as many pathogens rely on acidic environments for survival and replication. Its ability to modulate pH-dependent processes makes it a versatile compound in both cell biology and biomedical research.