Used primarily as a photoactivatable crosslinking agent in biochemical and molecular biology research. Its main application lies in studying protein-protein interactions, protein-ligand binding, and mapping molecular binding sites. Upon exposure to UV light, the diazirine group generates highly reactive carbenes that form covalent bonds with nearby molecules, effectively "capturing" transient or weak interactions. This allows researchers to stabilize and analyze complex biomolecular assemblies using techniques like SDS-PAGE, mass spectrometry, or immunoprecipitation. The hydroxyl and hydroxymethyl groups enhance solubility in aqueous systems, making it suitable for use in physiological conditions. Its spacer arm length provides flexibility in reaching interaction sites, improving crosslinking efficiency in three-dimensional structures.