Used primarily as an alkylating agent in biochemical research, it modifies cysteine residues in proteins to prevent disulfide bond formation during electrophoresis. This ensures accurate protein separation and analysis in techniques like SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry. It is also employed in proteomics to stabilize thiol groups and improve peptide identification. Additionally, iodoacetamide acts as an inhibitor of certain enzymes, particularly those with active cysteine sites, making it useful in enzyme activity studies. Its ability to penetrate cells allows for use in some antimicrobial and cytotoxicity experiments, though handling requires care due to its reactivity and potential toxicity.