O-Acetylserine is primarily used in biochemical research as a precursor in the biosynthesis of cysteine in plants and microorganisms. It plays a critical role in studying sulfur metabolism pathways, helping researchers understand how organisms assimilate sulfur into essential amino acids. Additionally, it is utilized in enzymatic studies to investigate the activity of enzymes like O-acetylserine (thiol) lyase, which catalyzes the formation of cysteine from O-acetylserine and hydrogen sulfide. This compound is also valuable in plant biology for exploring stress responses related to sulfur deficiency and in the development of strategies to enhance crop resilience and nutritional quality.