Ethyl 1-Thio-β-D-glucopyranoside is primarily used in biochemical research as a substrate or inhibitor in studies involving glycosidases and glycosyltransferases. It helps in understanding the mechanisms of enzyme activity and carbohydrate metabolism. Additionally, it is utilized in the synthesis of glycoconjugates, which are important for studying cell-surface interactions and signaling pathways. Its role in probing glycosylation processes makes it valuable in glycobiology and drug development, particularly in designing enzyme inhibitors for therapeutic applications.