In 2007, it was discovered that the responsible agent that metabolizes triglycerides present in sebum by the expression of lipase is a scalp specific fungus, Malassezia globosa (previously thought to be Malassezia furfur), resulting in a lipid byproduct: oleic acid.

[2] Identification of Malassezia on skin has been aided by the application of molecular or DNA-based techniques.

As the fungus requires fat to grow,[3] it is most common in areas with many sebaceous glands: on the scalp,[4] face, and upper part of the body.

When the fungus grows too rapidly, the natural renewal of cells is disturbed, and dandruff appears with itching (a similar process may also occur with other fungi or bacteria).

A project in 2007 has sequenced the genome of dandruff-causing Malassezia globosa and found it to have 4,285 genes.