Iran is home to some of the world’s most remarkable cultural monuments — from the brick tower of Gonbad-e Qābus and the stone reliefs of Persepolis to the intricate architecture of Takht-e Soleyman and Bam Citadel. These heritage sites, shaped by centuries of craftsmanship, are now facing an invisible yet powerful threat: biodeterioration.

Biodeterioration refers to the biological decay of materials caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, algae, and lichens. While these organisms are natural components of ecosystems, their colonization on stone, brick, and plaster surfaces can trigger chemical, physical, and aesthetic damage — leading to surface erosion, discoloration, and even structural weakening of monuments.

At the MYCOLICH Research Initiative, we study the biodiversity and biochemistry of biodeteriogenic microorganisms across Iran’s cultural heritage sites. By integrating field surveys, microscopy, molecular identification, and chemical analyses (e.g., LC–MS/MS), our research seeks to:

• Identify the dominant microbial and lichen communities responsible for surface decay

• Understand their ecological and environmental drivers

• Assess the biochemical interactions between microbial metabolites and heritage materials

• Develop sustainable conservation strategies that balance microbial ecology with material preservation

Through collaboration with universities, conservation institutes, and UNESCO heritage authorities, MYCOLICH aims to build a national reference database on biodeterioration — promoting science-based approaches to protect Iran’s cultural legacy from biological degradation while respecting its natural and historical context.