Salubrinal is widely used in research to study cellular stress responses, particularly in the context of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. It functions by inhibiting dephosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2α), thereby promoting cell survival under stress conditions. This property makes it a valuable tool for investigating pathways involved in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, where ER stress plays a critical role. Additionally, it is utilized in cancer research to explore mechanisms of tumor cell survival and resistance to therapies. Salubrinal also aids in understanding viral infections, as some viruses manipulate eIF2α phosphorylation to enhance their replication. Its applications extend to studies on ischemia, diabetes, and other conditions linked to cellular stress.