Used primarily in biochemical research, this compound serves as a modified nucleoside for studying DNA replication and repair mechanisms. It is incorporated into DNA strands to investigate the effects of brominated cytosine on cellular processes. Additionally, it is employed in the development of antiviral and anticancer drugs, where its incorporation into viral or cancer cell DNA can inhibit replication. The compound is also utilized in epigenetic studies to understand the role of cytosine modifications in gene expression regulation.