Used in biomedical research as a plasma volume expander and tracer in vascular studies due to its high molecular weight and long circulation time. Commonly employed to assess capillary permeability and endothelial barrier function in animal models, including studies of inflammation, vascular abnormalities such as diabetes, and edema. Also utilized in affinity chromatography matrices for protein purification, where it serves as a support backbone for immobilized ligands. Its blue color allows for easy visual tracking during column packing and elution processes. Additionally, it can be used to evaluate organ function, such as kidney excretion, and in cell separation techniques.