Total Synthesis of Natural Products A major focus of the Sulikowski research group is the synthesis of structurally complex natural products. Frequently, research projects are initiated with the selection of a target structure (recently) isolated from various natural sources such as soil microorganisms, fungi or plants. Criterion for the selection of natural products include structural novelty, unique biological activity and/or potential development of a new reaction in assembling a key structural feature contained within the natural product. Target structures of current interest to our group are shown in Figure 1. Following the identification of a target molecule, researchers, sometimes working as a team, set into action a synthetic strategy aimed at developing an efficient assembly of the targeted structure. It is at this point in the research project that researchers develop critical analysis as well as problem solving skills. Due to the complexity of the synthetic problems we often encounter unforeseen obstacles which require the redesign of the original strategy or the development of a new reaction or modification of an existing process. It is this evolutionary aspect of the synthetic program that leads to new innovations with broader implications in organic synthesis and related areas. Indeed some of the reactions and strategies developed within the context of one natural product have been subsequently applied to other (new) target structures.