8-Azaadenosine is primarily utilized in biochemical research as a nucleoside analog. It is often employed to study the mechanisms of RNA synthesis and processing due to its ability to incorporate into RNA molecules, which can help in understanding RNA function and metabolism. This compound is also used in the investigation of enzyme activities, particularly those involving adenosine deaminase, as it can act as a substrate or inhibitor, providing insights into enzyme kinetics and regulation. Additionally, 8-Azaadenosine has applications in the study of antiviral and anticancer agents, where its incorporation into nucleic acids can disrupt viral replication or cancer cell proliferation, making it a valuable tool in the development of therapeutic strategies.