Dextran sulfates are widely used in biomedical and laboratory applications due to their anticoagulant and polyanionic properties. They are commonly employed in cell culture and molecular biology to study inflammation, atherosclerosis, and viral infection mechanisms, as they can mimic the structure of glycosaminoglycans found in the extracellular matrix.

In research, dextran sulfates are used to induce experimental colitis in animal models, helping scientists investigate inflammatory bowel disease and test potential treatments. They are also utilized in chromatography as charged matrices for protein separation due to their ability to interact with positively charged biomolecules.

Additionally, dextran sulfates have been explored in drug delivery systems for their ability to stabilize and encapsulate therapeutic agents, especially in targeted delivery to immune cells. Their water solubility and biocompatibility make them suitable for various in vitro and in vivo applications, including gene transfection and modulation of enzyme activity.