Chemical screening libraries often feature natural product extracts (NPEs) due to the intriguing biological activities they possess and the structural diversity found in their individual components. A research project originally designed to create an extract library of every specimen in the University of Rhode Island (URI) Heber W. Youngken Jr. Medicinal Garden soon turned into a laboratory-based teaching project in which upper-division undergraduate students generated and analyzed extracts in an academic minisemester project. Additionally, motivated upper-division undergraduates carried out independent research isolating biologically active molecules. Hands-on laboratory activities enhanced students’ knowledge of methodologies and workflows associated with extract analysis and biological evaluation of botanical extracts. The synergy of the laboratory course with the independent study contributed to workforce preparation and library generation.

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