Lichens are extraordinary symbiotic organisms formed by the partnership between a fungus and a photosynthetic partner (alga or cyanobacterium). Beyond their ecological importance, lichens are renowned for producing a wide range of secondary metabolites—unique natural compounds such as depsides, depsidones, usnic acid derivatives, and terpenoids. These substances exhibit remarkable biological activities, including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, making lichens a valuable natural resource for biotechnological and pharmaceutical innovation.

Why Iran?

Iran’s exceptional environmental and climatic diversity—from humid Hyrcanian forests and high alpine zones to central deserts and southern coasts—has created habitats supporting a rich and unique lichen flora. Despite this diversity, the bioprospecting potential of Iranian lichens is still in its infancy. Most studies have focused on taxonomy, while their chemical and pharmacological properties remain largely unexplored.

Our Focus

At MYCOLICH Research Initiative, we aim to uncover and document the chemical ecology and bioactive potential of Iranian lichens through:

• Advanced analytical tools such as LC–MS/MS, HPLC, and TLC for metabolite profiling

• Integration of molecular taxonomy with metabolomics

• Bioassay-guided screening to identify natural compounds with therapeutic or ecological relevance

By combining traditional field research with cutting-edge analytical methods, we strive to build a comprehensive database of lichen-derived bioactive compounds from Iran. This resource will serve as a foundation for future discoveries in medicine, cosmetics, agriculture, and environmental biotechnology.

Stay Updated

This section of our website will be regularly updated with the latest findings, publications, and collaborative projects on Iranian lichen bioprospecting.
Follow our ongoing work as we continue to explore and reveal the hidden chemical diversity and ecological value of lichens across Iran.