DEAE is an acronym that stands for "diethylaminoethyl," which is a chemical compound. Synonyms for DEAE include N,N-diethyl-2-aminoethanol, 2-(diethylamino)ethyl, and 2-(diethylamino)ethanol. DEAE is commonly used as a chemical reagent in the separation and purification of biomolecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids. It acts as a cation exchanger, meaning it binds to negatively charged molecules and separates them from positively charged molecules in a solution. The use of DEAE has revolutionized the field of biochemistry, providing scientists with a reliable and efficient way to isolate and study complex biomolecules.