Lactimidomycin is primarily recognized for its role in biological research, particularly in the study of protein synthesis and cellular processes. It is widely used as a potent inhibitor of eukaryotic translation elongation, making it a valuable tool for investigating the mechanisms of protein production in cells. Researchers utilize it to explore the effects of halted protein synthesis on cell growth, proliferation, and survival, which is crucial in understanding diseases like cancer where protein synthesis is often dysregulated. Additionally, lactimidomycin has shown potential in studying autophagy, a cellular degradation process, due to its ability to induce this mechanism under certain conditions. Its applications extend to drug development, where it serves as a reference compound for identifying new therapeutic agents targeting protein synthesis pathways.