Protein Purification 101: Introduction to Chromatography

​This workshop is the first in a hands-on protein purification series, introducing students to the core principles of protein purification—a fundamental technique used to separate and purify proteins from complex mixtures. You’ll learn how chromatography columns can separate proteins based on their charge, size, binding affinity, or hydrophobicity.

​
Our lab will use hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC), where you’ll purify a complex protein mixture containing GFP, BSA, and beta-casein using salt-based elution. You'll set up and run a chromatography column, collect eluted fractions, and use a Bradford Assay to determine which fractions contain your purified proteins.

​
This hands-on experiment will give you practical experience in biomolecular separation, data analysis, and the fundamentals of protein biochemistry. Protein purification is a critical process in the production of biopharmaceuticals, enzymes, and industrial biotechnology products, making these skills widely applicable across academic and commercial research.