Stripping buffer is primarily used in molecular biology and biochemistry for the removal of antibodies or probes from membranes after Western blotting or similar immunoassays. This allows researchers to reuse the same membrane for multiple detections, saving time and resources. The buffer works by breaking the antigen-antibody bonds without damaging the proteins on the membrane, ensuring that the membrane remains intact for subsequent analyses. It is particularly useful in experiments where multiple targets need to be detected on a single blot, enabling efficient and cost-effective research workflows.