dextran
1
8.0
A sugar made by bacteria that dissolves in water and helps separate and protect proteins in labs
- noun
- /ˈdɛkstrən/
- Specialized
:
dextran
- In the lab, they prepared a solution of dextran to stabilize the protein during the analysis.
Examples
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The researcher used dextran in the chromatography experiment to separate the proteins.
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ER concentrations were determined by the dextran-charcoal assay.
Academic text (2000) -
The doctor administered a dextran solution to help improve blood volume in the patient.
Surface Forms
Etymology
Dextran comes from the root dextro- meaning 'right' and the word dextrose, which is a kind of 'sugar'. As a water-soluble chain of glucose units, it is used in the lab to separate proteins and to help keep enzymes and other molecules stable.