Editing Dextran (section)

===Laboratory uses===
* Dextran is used in the [[osmotic stress technique]] for applying [[osmotic pressure]] to biological molecules.
* It is also used in some size-exclusion [[chromatography]] matrices; an example is [[Sephadex]].
* Dextran has also been used in bead form to aid in [[bioreactor]] applications.
* Dextran has been used as an immobilization agent in [[biosensors]].
* Dextran preferentially binds to early [[endosomes]]; [[fluorescent]]-labelled dextran can be used to visualize these endosomes under a [[microscope]].
* Dextran can be used as a stabilizing coating to protect metal [[nanoparticles]] from [[oxidation]] and improve [[biocompatibility]].
* Dextran coupled with a fluorescent molecule such as [[fluorescein isothiocyanate]] can be used to create concentration gradients of diffusible molecules for imaging and allow subsequent characterization of gradient slope. 
* Solutions of fluorescently-labelled dextran can be perfused through engineered vessels to analyze [[vascular permeability]]<ref>Wang et al. [http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2016/LC/C5LC01050K#!divAbstract "Engineering anastomosis between living capillary networks and endothelial cell-lined microfluidic channels"], [[Lab on a Chip (journal)]], 2016, 16, 282</ref>
* Dextran is used to make [[microcarriers]] for industrial cell culture
* Orally-administered [[dextran sodium sulphate]] is used to induce [[colitis]] in animal models of [[inflammatory bowel disease]].<ref>Murthy et al. [https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF01303184 "Treatment of dextran sulfate sodium-induced murine colitis by intracolonic cyclosporin"], [[Digestive Diseases and Sciences]], 1993, 38, 1722</ref>
* Dextran is a common model compound to test the potential of drug formulations to facilitate intestinal absorption via the [[paracellular]] route.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Guggi |first1=Davide |last2=Bernkop-Schnürch |first2=Andreas |title=Improved paracellular uptake by the combination of different types of permeation enhancers |journal=International Journal of Pharmaceutics |date=January 2005 |volume=288 |issue=1 |pages=141–150 |doi=10.1016/j.ijpharm.2004.09.023 |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037851730400571X|url-access=subscription }}</ref>