Hands-on Introduction to Preparative Chromatography

Gain foundational knowledge and practical skills in chromatography — an essential technique for downstream processing of biopharmaceutical products

This 2.5-day course introduces key concepts in downstream processing with a focus on protein purification at laboratory scaleusing chromatographic techniques.

Participants will gain both theoretical insights and hands-on experience in purifying “nanobodies”—antibody fragments derived from camelids that are widely used in pharmaceutical diagnostics and therapy.

A core element of the course is practical training in chromatography techniques; experiments will be conducted at laboratory scale for which concepts and experiences are transferable to industrial environments. Labs are designed to cover essential considerations in column packing and qualification, preparative separations, and data analysis. Participants will utilize chromatography workstations and perform protein purification using ion exchange (IEX) and immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) and will analyze their products using size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Chromatogram interpretation, troubleshooting real-world purification challenges and process optimization will be discussed in depth to bridge lab experience with industrial applications.

At the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Gain a broad understanding of downstream processing and explain the principles and applications of multiple types of chromatography in protein purification. Design a stepwise protein purification protocol based on physicochemical properties and process requirements. Interpret chromatograms to evaluate purification efficiency, identify target peaks, and estimate yield and purity. Troubleshoot common issues in chromatographic protein purification using systematic problem-solving approaches. Evaluate the scalability of purification processes and understand relevant regulatory considerations in the pharmaceutical industry.

Nongraded

This course is broadly applicable for professionals in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and biopharma industries who are involved in the development, production, or quality control of biologics. It is especially relevant for:

Scientists and technicians working with protein purification or chromatography Process engineers involved in downstream development or scale-up QA/QC and regulatory affairs professionals seeking insight into purification workflows Researchers and academic staff transitioning to industrial applications Early career professionals looking to build core competencies in downstream processing Experienced staff wanting to refresh and update their knowledge with current best practices