Amphotericin B is a broad spectrum antifungal agent commonly used in microbiological research and cell culture applications. It works by binding to ergosterol in fungal cell membranes, forming pores that lead to loss of essential cellular components and cell death. This mechanism makes it effective against a wide range of fungi, including yeasts and filamentous species. In laboratory environments, it is frequently incorporated into culture media to prevent fungal contamination and ensure experimental integrity. It is also used in studies of antifungal resistance, membrane biology, and fungal physiology due to its well characterized mode of action.