Used primarily in biochemical and genetic research, this modified base serves as a model for studying DNA alkylation damage and repair mechanisms. It helps scientists understand how alkylating agents—common in environmental toxins and some chemotherapy drugs—affect genetic material. By mimicking damaged guanine, it aids in the investigation of mutagenesis and the function of DNA repair enzymes such as alkylguanine transferases. It is also employed in the development and testing of analytical methods for detecting DNA adducts, contributing to cancer research and toxicology studies.