Kifunensine is widely used in biochemical research as a selective inhibitor of alpha-mannosidase I, an enzyme involved in N-linked glycosylation pathways. It is particularly valuable in the study of glycoprotein processing, as it prevents the trimming of mannose residues, leading to the accumulation of high-mannose glycans. This property makes it a useful tool for investigating the role of glycosylation in protein folding, quality control, and function. In biotechnology, kifunensine is employed to produce glycoproteins with homogeneous high-mannose structures, which can enhance their stability and efficacy in therapeutic applications, such as antibody production for cancer treatment. Additionally, it is used in the development of vaccines, where specific glycan structures are critical for eliciting an effective immune response. Its application extends to the study of viral proteins, as glycosylation plays a key role in viral entry and immune evasion, providing insights for antiviral drug development.