Used in epigenetic research to study DNA methylation patterns, this compound acts as a nucleoside analog that can be incorporated into DNA during replication. It helps modulate gene expression by influencing methyltransferase activity, making it valuable in cancer research, particularly for reactivating tumor suppressor genes silenced by hypermethylation. It is also explored for its potential in treating diseases involving abnormal DNA methylation, including certain genetic disorders and malignancies. Its ability to alter epigenetic marks without changing the DNA sequence makes it a key tool in developmental biology and cellular reprogramming studies.