Used in biomedical research as a model iron-storage protein to study iron metabolism and oxidative stress. Commonly employed in assays involving iron uptake, release, and bioavailability. Serves as a standard in electrophoresis, immunoassays, and calibration of iron quantification methods. Also utilized in nanotechnology for the development of iron oxide nanoparticles due to its natural cage-like structure. Its high iron-loading capacity makes it useful in drug delivery and imaging probe design.