Used as an anticoagulant in medical applications due to its ability to inhibit blood clotting factors. Commonly employed in research to induce experimental colitis in animal models, mimicking inflammatory bowel disease for drug testing. Acts as a stabilizer and dispersing agent in nanoparticle formulations. Utilized in molecular biology for precipitating DNA and RNA, aiding in nucleic acid purification. Also serves as a heparin substitute in certain diagnostic procedures. Its polyanionic nature makes it useful in studying electrostatic interactions in biochemical systems.

Additionally, dextran sulfate sodium exhibits antiviral properties by inhibiting viruses such as HIV and influenza through prevention of viral attachment to cell surfaces, serving as a tool in studying infection mechanisms. Due to its good water solubility and low toxicity at used concentrations, it is applied in drug delivery systems and controlled release formulations for new pharmaceutical development.