Dextran sulfates are widely used in biomedical and laboratory applications due to their polyanionic properties. They are commonly employed in molecular biology for precipitating proteins and nucleic acids, particularly in DNA and RNA isolation protocols. Their negative charge allows them to interact with positively charged molecules, making them useful in chromatography and electrophoresis techniques.

In cell culture, dextran sulfates are used to modulate immune responses and study inflammation, as they can influence the activity of various enzymes and receptors involved in immune signaling. They are also investigated for their antiviral properties, especially in topical microbicides, where they show activity against enveloped viruses like herpes simplex virus (HSV) by blocking viral entry into host cells.

Additionally, dextran sulfates serve as anticoagulant agents in some experimental settings, mimicking the effects of heparin. In pharmaceutical research, they are used to induce experimental colitis in animal models to study inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and test potential therapeutics. Their ability to disrupt the intestinal epithelial barrier makes them a valuable tool in gastrointestinal research.