This compound is primarily used in biochemical research to study the interactions and functions of sialylated glycans, which play a critical role in cell signaling, immune response, and pathogen recognition. It serves as a substrate or inhibitor in enzymatic assays to investigate the activity of glycosyltransferases and sialidases, enzymes involved in the synthesis and breakdown of glycoconjugates. Additionally, it is employed in the development of glycoconjugate-based vaccines and therapeutics, as sialic acid-containing glycans are often targets for vaccine design against pathogens like influenza and certain bacteria. Its applications also extend to the study of cancer biology, where aberrant sialylation is a hallmark of tumor progression and metastasis. Researchers use this compound to explore potential diagnostic and therapeutic strategies targeting sialic acid-related pathways.