This compound is primarily utilized in glycobiology research to study carbohydrate-protein interactions, particularly those involving sialic acid recognition. It serves as a synthetic glycan probe for investigating the binding specificity of lectins, antibodies, and other proteins that recognize sialylated structures. Its application extends to the development of diagnostic tools for detecting sialic acid-related biomarkers in diseases such as cancer and infections. Additionally, it is used in the design of glycan-based vaccines and therapeutics, where sialic acid motifs play a critical role in immune modulation. The compound also aids in the study of cell surface glycan expression and its role in cellular communication and pathogen recognition.