Used in biochemical research to study enzyme mechanisms, particularly those involving amino acid metabolism. It serves as a substrate or inhibitor in experiments to understand the function of specific enzymes, such as aminopeptidases. Additionally, it is employed in the synthesis of peptides and modified amino acids for pharmaceutical applications, aiding in the development of drugs targeting neurological disorders or metabolic diseases. Its chiral nature makes it valuable in asymmetric synthesis and the production of enantiomerically pure compounds.