The biotechnology department of Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST) was developed as an independent body from 1980 within the Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST). Since 1982, the group’s activities were carried out conquering the name of “The Group of Fermentation and Biological Technology”. The activities of the group of biotechnology, with the new name, started in order to establish the center which later on developed as a department. Since 1992 this department is recognized as Central and East Asia’s focal point in the field of biotechnology and hence appointed as a member of International Biotechnology Networks.
 

Since 1982, this department started its first project as “Culture Collection for Research and Industrial microorganisms”, designated as “Persian Type Culture Collection (PTCC)” with culture collection, of more than 2000 microbial strains. A wide range of bacteria, fungi, yeasts of industrial, biochemical and educational importance are now being formed. This center also carries out research relevant to the interest of the collection. In 1985 PTCC got the opportunity to become a member of WFCC with PTCC 1241. The auspicious year for PTCC was 1995 when it was recognized as Tehran MIRCEN.
Initial financial supports were provided by a joint project among IROST, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).