2-Amino-2-methylbutanoic acid is a non-proteinogenic α-amino acid primarily used in peptide synthesis, medicinal chemistry, and organic synthesis. Its quaternary α-carbon provides steric hindrance that stabilizes specific peptide conformations, such as α-helices and 3₁₀-helices, making it valuable for peptidomimetics, foldamers, and research into protein mimics. It also serves as a chiral building block and intermediate in pharmaceutical development and biochemical studies.