Primarily used in medical research, this compound serves as a thymidine analog for studying DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. It is particularly valuable in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, where it helps track the replication of DNA in cancer cells, aiding in the diagnosis and monitoring of tumors. Additionally, it is employed in antiviral research to investigate its potential in inhibiting viral replication, especially in herpesviruses. Its incorporation into DNA allows researchers to observe and measure cellular processes with high precision.