This compound is primarily utilized in biochemical research as a fluorescent probe for studying sphingolipid metabolism and trafficking within cells. Its fluorescent properties, derived from the nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBD) group, allow for the visualization and tracking of sphingolipids in live or fixed cells using fluorescence microscopy. Researchers employ it to investigate lipid membrane dynamics, lipid-protein interactions, and intracellular lipid transport pathways. Additionally, it serves as a tool to explore the role of sphingolipids in cellular processes such as signal transduction, apoptosis, and membrane organization. Its glucosyl moiety makes it particularly useful for studying glycosphingolipids and their involvement in diseases like cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and lysosomal storage diseases.