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.
Co-operation partner:
This course is offered in collaboration with Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
Course schedule
Day 1 (08:30-16:00)
- Lecture: Course orientation
- Lecture: From upstream to downstream: an overview (industry speaker)
- Lecture and workshop: Resins and column packing
- Lecture and workshop: Classes of chromatography
- Lecture: Introduction to lab work
- Lab: Buffer Preparation and chromatography workstation software
Day 2 (08:30-16:00)
- Lab: Preparative ion exchange chromatography (IEX)
- Lab: Preparative affinity chromatography (IMAC)
- Lab: Data collection and discussion
- Lab: Analytical size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE)
- Lecture: Scale-up (industry speaker)
Day 3 (09:00-13:30)
- Lab: Data analysis and system clean up
- Discussion
- Groupwork and presentations
* The course schedule is subject to minor possible adjustments.
Learning outcomes
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.
Who should attend?
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
Whether you’re new to downstream processing or looking for upskilling opportunities, this course offers an essential, hands-on introduction to preparative chromatography.
Prerequisites
Participants do not need to have specific knowledge in the field of biotechnology other than a basic high-school level understanding of natural sciences.
Important information
Here you will find important information for short course participants regarding cancellation policies, location and waitlist policies.
Physical (Lectures and group work)
Please note that courses are subject to a minimum number of participants, and DTU reserves the right to cancel a course if the required number of registrations is not reached.
Registration and location
To register for the course please click “Add to basket”.
The registration deadline is 1 week prior to course start.
In case, you have any questions related to your registration, please contact Course Coordinator Khaled Chatila (khachat@dtu.dk)
The course will take place at the Section for Biologics Engineering, DTU Bioengineering on DTU’s Lyngby campus
Pre- and Post-Course Communication
Before the course
Approximately two weeks before the course begins, you will receive an email with practical information and everything you need to know ahead of your participation.
After the course
Approximately one week after the course ends, you will receive access to the course materials along with your certificate of completion.
Discount for start-ups and academics
We offer employees in start-up companies, educational institutions and the public sector a 25% course fee reduction.
Tick off the relevant boxes in the registration form to apply for this discount. You will get to the registration form when adding the course to the basket.
Tailor-made format for companies
Companies wishing to arrange a tailored/private course are welcome to contact us to discuss this opportunity.
Course Responsible
Registration
| Duration | 3 days |
|---|---|
| Place | DTU Lyngby Campus |
| Buy | See available discounts at the bottom of the page |
| Price |
20.000,00 DKK |
|---|
Questions?
Contact Krutika Bavishi about academic content
Educational Developer
Email: kruba@dtu.dk
Questions?
Contact Khaled Chatila about registration and practical information
Phone: (+45) 45 25 26 39
Email: khachat@dtu.dk
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For companies
Are you looking to educate several employees with a course or a degree?
Mail us at learnforlife@dtu.dk
