Used in biochemical research to study enzyme mechanisms and metabolic pathways, particularly those involving amino acids. It serves as a substrate analog in enzymatic studies to understand substrate specificity and enzyme inhibition. Additionally, it is employed in the synthesis of peptides and modified proteins for investigating structure-activity relationships. Its thienyl group makes it useful in probing interactions in biological systems, especially in the context of aromatic amino acid metabolism. It is also utilized in the development of pharmaceuticals targeting neurological disorders, as it can influence neurotransmitter synthesis and function.