Used as a mild non-ionic detergent in membrane protein research, particularly effective in solubilizing integral membrane proteins without denaturing them. Its thio-linked glycosidic bond provides enhanced stability against hydrolysis compared to oxygen-linked detergents, making it suitable for long-term studies and structural analyses such as X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM. Commonly employed in the extraction and purification of sensitive membrane proteins from biological membranes, including receptors, ion channels, and transporters. Its relatively large hydrophilic head group contributes to forming well-ordered micelles, which helps maintain protein stability and functionality in aqueous solutions.