Dextran is widely used in medical and biochemical applications due to its biocompatibility and water solubility. It serves as a plasma volume expander in cases of hypovolemic shock, helping to maintain blood flow and pressure during acute blood loss. In pharmaceutical formulations, dextran acts as a stabilizer or carrier for drugs, improving their delivery and release profiles. In laboratory settings, dextran is used in size-exclusion chromatography to separate molecules by size. It is also employed in cell culture and microbiology as a component of growth media. Modified forms of dextran are used in drug delivery systems, particularly for targeted release in cancer therapy and other treatments. Additionally, it finds use in ophthalmic solutions to protect the eye surface during surgery.