Protoporphyrin IX dimethyl ester is widely used in biochemical research and medical applications. It serves as a precursor in the synthesis of heme, a crucial component of hemoglobin, which is essential for oxygen transport in the blood. In photodynamic therapy, it is employed as a photosensitizer to target and destroy cancer cells when activated by specific wavelengths of light. Additionally, it is utilized in studies related to porphyrin metabolism and disorders such as porphyrias. Its role in understanding chlorophyll biosynthesis in plants also makes it valuable in agricultural research.