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 inflammatory responses and immune modulation. In research, dextran sulfates are used to induce experimental colitis in animal models, helping scientists investigate inflammatory bowel disease mechanisms and potential treatments.

They also serve as stabilizing agents in some diagnostic reagents and are used in chromatography for separating proteins and other biomolecules based on charge interactions. Additionally, they act as precipitants for proteins, nucleic acids, and viruses, aiding in the isolation of DNA or viral particles by promoting the precipitation of large molecules.

Due to their structural similarity to heparin, they are explored in antiviral studies, particularly for inhibiting viral entry into cells. Furthermore, dextran sulfates have been investigated for use in drug delivery systems, where they help control the release of therapeutic agents, improve solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs, and enable targeted delivery, especially in the gastrointestinal system or for treating chronic inflammatory conditions.