Used in biochemical research as a nucleoside analog, particularly in studies involving DNA repair and nucleotide metabolism. Serves as a building block for synthesizing modified RNA and DNA strands with enhanced stability or specific binding properties. Applied in the development of antiviral and anticancer agents due to its ability to interfere with viral replication and tumor cell proliferation. Also utilized in enzymatic assays to probe the activity of kinases and phosphorylases. Its stereochemistry makes it valuable for structure-activity relationship studies in medicinal chemistry.