In my latest research, I've discovered that ampicillin plays a significant role in biotechnology and scientific research. This antibiotic is commonly used to eliminate bacteria not carrying a desired plasmid, making it instrumental in genetic modification techniques. Additionally, it's used in the creation of genetically engineered strains of bacteria. Ampicillin's primary function in this field is to provide a mechanism for selecting only the genetically altered bacteria. It's fascinating to see how something as simple as an antibiotic can have such a profound impact on groundbreaking research.