L-Azidohomoalanine is widely used in biochemical research, particularly in the field of protein engineering and bioorthogonal chemistry. Its primary application is as a non-natural amino acid that can be incorporated into proteins through metabolic labeling. This allows researchers to selectively tag and visualize proteins in live cells, enabling the study of protein function, localization, and interactions in complex biological systems.

The azide group in L-Azidohomoalanine is highly reactive in bioorthogonal reactions, such as the copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) or strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC). These reactions facilitate the attachment of fluorescent dyes, affinity tags, or other functional moieties to proteins, making it a valuable tool for imaging, proteomics, and drug discovery.

Additionally, L-Azidohomoalanine is used in the development of novel biomaterials and bioconjugates. Its ability to introduce azide groups into proteins or peptides enables the creation of cross-linked networks or functionalized surfaces, which are useful in tissue engineering, biosensors, and targeted drug delivery systems. Its versatility and compatibility with living systems make it a key component in advancing synthetic biology and chemical biology research.