It is primarily used in the synthesis of peptides and proteins, where it serves as a building block for incorporating hydroxyproline residues. This modification is crucial in the production of collagen, as hydroxyproline plays a key role in stabilizing the triple-helix structure of collagen molecules. Additionally, it is utilized in research to study post-translational modifications and to develop synthetic collagen-like materials for biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering and wound healing. Its incorporation into peptides can also enhance their stability and biological activity.