Used primarily as a zwitterionic detergent in biochemistry and molecular biology applications. It is effective in solubilizing membrane proteins while maintaining their native structure and function, making it valuable for protein purification and analysis. It is also utilized in gel electrophoresis to enhance protein separation and reduce aggregation. Additionally, it is employed in cell lysis and extraction processes due to its ability to disrupt lipid bilayers without denaturing proteins. Its mild and non-denaturing properties make it suitable for use in enzyme assays and other sensitive biochemical studies.