Department of Natural Products Chemistry is focusing on the identification of structurally novel and biologically active natural compounds from both terrestrial and marine resources, and structural optimization and structure-activity relationship studies of bioactive natural compounds. The main objective is to discover drug leads and/or drug candidates that target the fatal human diseases. The department also makes efforts to demonstrate the scientific basis of the Chinese herbal medicines aiming to guide the rational and sustainable application of these precious resources.

The department has also a TCM herbarium with a collection of over 110,000 specimens.