2-NBDG is widely used in biological research as a fluorescent glucose analog. It is particularly valuable for studying glucose uptake in living cells, as it can be easily visualized under a fluorescence microscope. Researchers use 2-NBDG to monitor real-time glucose metabolism in various cell types, including cancer cells, neurons, and muscle cells. This helps in understanding metabolic changes in diseases like diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders. Additionally, 2-NBDG is employed in drug discovery to screen compounds that modulate glucose uptake or metabolism. Its application extends to evaluating the effects of insulin and other metabolic regulators on cellular glucose handling.