The genus Artemisia L. is represented by 9 species in the flora of the Republic of Moldova1. Phytochemical reports on Artemisia species deal mainly with terpenoids, flavonoids andcoumarins. Artemisia species have a vast range of bioactivities including antimalarial, cytotoxic, antihepatotoxic, antibacterial and antioxidant activities2. Also, they represent an important source for drug leads such as artemisinin, the well-known antimalarial agent isolated from A. annua. Studies on Artemisia absinthium species showed good antitumor activity of the extracts, extractive fractions and isolated compounds when tested on different human cancer cell lines3.  Different in vitro methods of Artemisia ssp. culture are key to the production of these valuable compounds used as natural drugs. The tissue cultures for A. annua species, focused on the improvement of the artemisinin production4. Endangered, threatened and rare species, including Artemisia species, have successfully been grown and conserved by micro-propagation because of high coefficient of multiplication and small demands on number of initial plants and space5.  Our study aims at the characterization of the phytochemical diversity of several Artemisia species through the chemical analyses of several classes of bioactive compounds. Our study focuses on three Artemisia species, namely A. annua, A. Absinthium and A. lerchiana.  Thus, the Artemisia samples harvested from different regions of Republic of Moldova will be subjected to a phytochemical screening for the assessment of biological active compounds content. The main classes of bioactive compounds envisaged are the sesquiterpen-lactones, phenolic compounds and volatile oil. In this respect, several analysis methods will be used: Thin Layer Chromatography, Spectrophotometry, High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Gas Chromatography for qualitative and quantitative assessments. Based on the phytochemical data, we will identify, isolate and propagate the high yielding accessions. The isolation and propagation of these accessions will be achieved by in vitro plant tissue culture, thus developing an in vitro and ex situ collection with applicability also in the conservation of the endangered A. lerchiana species.  The first analysis of the aerial part of Artemisia species showed a distinct TLC fingerprint. A. absinthium had a more complex spectrum for flavonoids. A. lerchiana had the highest content of total phenolic compounds and phenolic acids. A. anuua showed the highest content of flavonoids. The highest content of volatile oil was obtained for A. annua samples, followed by A. absinthium and A. lerchiana. The extracts richer in bioactive compounds will also be evaluated for antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. By developing this study, important data will be obtained, regarding the diversity of medicinal and aromatic plants natural resources in Republic of Moldova, with applicability in breeding programs. This complex, interdisciplinary research on native medicinal Artemisia species will be performed for the first time in the Republic of Moldova.  Acknowledgements