National Center for Genetic and Biological Resources of Iran

What National Center for Genetic and Biological Resources of Iran does

The National Center for Genetic and Biological Resources of Iran (IBRC) is a government-affiliated research center operating under Jahad-e Daneshgahi (ACECR) and founded around 2008–2009, headquartered in Tehran with research facilities in Karaj. The center operates four core biological banks: microorganisms, human and animal cells, DNA and genomic data, and plants, serving as Iran's only national-level comprehensive genetic and biological resource repository.

IBRC generates revenue primarily through laboratory and testing services rather than product sales at scale. Service offerings include DNA/RNA extraction, STR-based cell line authentication compliant with ASN-0002-2011, mycoplasma detection by multiple methods, MTT cytotoxicity assays, phytochemistry (HPLC, GC-MS, antioxidant measurements), parentage verification for animals via DNA fingerprinting, dairy adulteration detection, herbarium identification, micropropagation of certified plant materials, and educational workshops delivered online via the RuyeSH platform. Customers include the Iranian academic research community (faculty, MSc/PhD students), domestic biotechnology and knowledge-based companies, animal breeders and veterinarians, and the food industry. Service intake is manual — email and downloadable request forms routed to the Tehran or Karaj offices — and pricing is not publicly disclosed.

The business model is professional services with a relationship-driven, government-anchored customer base operating within a single-country footprint (Iran). Strategic activity has accelerated since 2024 with high-level MoUs tied to the National Biotechnology Work Division Program, new product launches (food fraud detection, Baluchi black bear cell line), and broader participation in national exhibitions. The center is governed within the ACECR framework with Dr. Seyyed Mojtaba Tolidat serving as acting director and Dr. Ali Montazeri as President of the parent Jahad-e Daneshgahi.

Name

National Center for Genetic and Biological Resources of Iran

Legal name

مرکز ملی ذخایر ژنتیکی و زیستی ایران (National Center for Genetic and Biological Resources of Iran)

Website

https://ibrc.ir

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

IBRC is Iran's national biological resource center, operating four biobanks (microorganisms, human/animal cells, DNA, plants) and providing laboratory testing services such as cell authentication, mycoplasma detection, parentage verification, and phytochemistry to academic, biotechnology, animal breeding, and food industry customers domestically.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biotechnology Research Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (6215)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Food Testing Laboratories (Microbiological, Chemical, Allergen) (AFALAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Vegan/Vegetarian & Animal-Derived Ingredient Verification (incl. cross-contact) (AFALAHAI)

Keywords

• Biological resource banking
• Cell line authentication
• DNA fingerprinting services
• Phytochemistry laboratory
• Genetic material preservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Tehran

HQ country

Iran

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Laboratory and Testing Services: IBRC generates revenue through specialized laboratory and testing services provided to academic institutions, researchers, students, and industry. Services include DNA/RNA extraction, cell line authentication, mycoplasma testing, parentage verification, phytochemistry analysis, and training workshops. Service requests are submitted via forms and processed through the center's Tehran and Karaj offices.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The National Center for Genetic and Biological Resources of Iran (IBRC) operates four specialized biological banks — microorganisms, human and animal cells, DNA and genomic data, and plants — that preserve and distribute authenticated biological materials for research. It provides specialized laboratory and testing services including DNA/RNA extraction, STR-based cell authentication, mycoplasma detection, animal parentage verification, phytochemistry analysis (HPLC, GC-MS), and food authenticity testing, complemented by educational workshops and training programs.

Product overview

National Center for Genetic and Biological Resources of Iran (IBRC) operates a platform architecture centered on four biological banks: Bank of Microorganisms, Bank of Human and Animal Cells, Bank of DNA and Genomic Data, and Plant Bank. These core banks are complemented by specialized service modules including Phytochemistry (HPLC, GC-MS, antioxidant assays), Quality Control and Authentication (STR profiling, mycoplasma testing), Molecular and Genetic Services (DNA/RNA extraction, Real-Time PCR), Cell Services (culture, MTT assay, microscopy), Herbarium, and Parentage Verification. A dedicated Specialized Services Center provides micropropagation and certified seed production. Educational offerings include workshops, internships, and thesis support, delivered through both in-person programs and the online Rooiesh platform. The organization also publishes the Biobank Name newsletter.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bank of Microorganisms (بانک میکروارگانیسمها)
• Bank of Human and Animal Cells (بانک سلول‌های انسانی و جانوری)
• Bank of DNA and Genomic Data (بانک DNA و داده‌های ژنومی)
• Plant Bank (بانک گیاهی)
• Phytochemistry Services (فیتوشیمی)
• Quality Control and Authentication Services (خدمات کنترل کیفی و تایید هویت)
• Molecular and Genetic Services (خدمات مولکولی و ژنتیکی)
• Parentage Verification for Animals (آزمون تایید والد و فرزندی جانوری)
• Herbarium Services (هرباریوم)
• Cell Services (خدمات سلولی)
• MTT Cytotoxicity Assay (سنجش میزان سمیت مواد با استفاده از آزمون MTT)
• Mycoplasma Detection by Culture (تشخیص آلودگی به مایکوپلاسما با روش کشت)
• STR 16 Human Cell Line Authentication (تأیید هویت رده‌های سلولی انسانی با شناسایی STR ۱۶)
• Specialized Services Center - Micropropagation (مرکز خدمات تخصصی - ریزازدیادی و تولید پایه و بذر)
• Training and Workshops (آموزش - کارگاه‌های تخصصی)
• Food Authenticity Testing for Dairy and Meat Products

Quantifiable outcome

• DNA fingerprinting service for horses, dogs, and cats compliant with ASN-0002-2011 international standard
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Iranian Society of MicrobiologyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 May 2026A cooperation agreement was signed to develop scientific interactions and utilize shared capacities between the two organizations in the field of microbiology.
• Development Headquarters of Stem Cell Sciences and Biological Technologies, Vice Presidency for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based EconomycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 May 2026A memorandum of understanding was signed for cooperation in developing standard cell lines and executing national biotechnology megaprojects as part of the National Biotechnology Work Division Program. The partnership aims to strengthen Iran's biotechnology infrastructure through joint research initiatives.
• University of Tehran - Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Faculty of ScienceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research on the effects of static magnetic fields on morphology, migration, division, and characteristics of olfactory ensheathing cells in regenerative medicine.
• Qeshm Environmental Research InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint research on marine biodiversity of the Persian Gulf, including specialized symposiums and scientific meetings.
• Hormozgan Jahad-e Daneshgahi UnitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the specialized symposium 'Persian Gulf: Biodiversity and Sustainable Future' held to commemorate National Persian Gulf Day.
• National Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences Research InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organized the specialized symposium 'Persian Gulf: Biodiversity and Sustainable Future' with participation of marine science researchers and ecologists.
• Agricultural Biotechnology Research InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReached initial agreement for joint agricultural projects at the Research and Technology Achievements Exhibition.
• National Science Foundation of IrancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership under the National Biotechnology Work Division Program for developing standard cell lines and biotechnology megaprojects.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ATCC (American Type Culture Collection): ATCC is the world's largest biological resource center, maintaining and distributing authenticated cell lines, microorganisms, and biological materials. Like IBRC, it operates as a central repository for genetic resources and provides authenticated research materials to scientific communities.
• DSMZ (Leibniz Institute - German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures): DSMZ is a comprehensive European culture collection maintaining bacteria, cell lines, fungi, and plant cell cultures. It is directly comparable to IBRC's four-bank structure (microorganisms, cells, DNA, plants) and serves as a global reference for authenticated biological resources.
• CABI: CABI maintains a major culture collection including microorganisms used in agriculture and biocontrol. Its work on plant genetic resources and microbiological services overlaps with IBRC's Plant Bank and Bank of Microorganisms.
• Culture Collections (UK Health Security Agency): UK Culture Collections maintains authenticated bacterial, fungal, and cell line resources for research and public health. It is comparable to IBRC's Bank of Microorganisms and Bank of Human and Animal Cells in scope and mission.
• BCCM (Belgian Coordinated Collections of Microorganisms): BCCM is a consortium of Belgian culture collections covering bacteria, fungi, and yeasts. Its role as a national microbial resource center with authenticated reference materials directly parallels IBRC's Bank of Microorganisms mission.
• KCTC (Korean Collection for Type Cultures): KCTC is the Korean national culture collection preserving bacteria, archaea, and yeasts. As a national-level biological resource center in a single country, it mirrors IBRC's institutional structure and domestic service mandate.
• NIBR (National Institute of Biological Resources, Korea): NIBR is a Korean national institute dedicated to cataloging biological resources and biodiversity research. Like IBRC, it operates under government auspices, serves as a national repository, and conducts biological specimen identification including herbarium services.
• CGMCC (China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center): CGMCC is the largest microbiological culture collection in China, maintaining bacteria, fungi, and yeasts. Its national-level scope, government affiliation, and authenticated reference material services align closely with IBRC's Bank of Microorganisms.
• JCM (Japan Collection of Microorganisms, RIKEN): JCM is a Japanese national microbial culture collection under RIKEN. It is comparable to IBRC's Bank of Microorganisms in maintaining authenticated microbial resources for academic and industrial research.
• NCIMB (National Collection of Industrial, Food and Marine Bacteria): NCIMB is a UK-based culture collection focused on industrial, food, and marine microorganisms. Its specialized microbial banking services overlap with IBRC's biotechnology and food industry applications, including authenticated strains for industry.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iranian-biological-resource-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Center for Genetic and Biological Resources of Iran