This chemical is widely used as a substrate in biochemical assays to measure caspase-3 and caspase-7 activity, which are key enzymes involved in apoptosis. When cleaved by these caspases, it releases a fluorescent product, 7-amido-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin (AFC), allowing for the quantification of enzyme activity. This makes it a valuable tool in apoptosis research, drug screening, and studies of cell death mechanisms. It is also employed in high-throughput screening to identify potential therapeutic compounds that modulate caspase activity. Its sensitivity and specificity make it a preferred choice for in vitro studies of programmed cell death.