DL-1,4-Dithiothreitol is widely used in biochemistry and molecular biology for its ability to reduce disulfide bonds within proteins and other molecules. It is commonly employed in protein purification processes to maintain proteins in their reduced state, ensuring proper folding and activity. In electrophoresis, it is added to sample buffers to break disulfide bonds, allowing proteins to separate based on their molecular weight. Additionally, it is utilized in the preparation of DNA and RNA samples to prevent oxidation and degradation, enhancing the stability of nucleic acids during storage and analysis. Its reducing properties also make it valuable in enzymatic assays and in the study of protein structure and function.