Some yeasts are particularly resistant… especially Malassezia restricta.
This lipophilic yeast, naturally present on human skin, is involved in various imbalances of the skin microbiota, notably those linked to dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis. But cultivating it in the laboratory is no easy task!
Given the complexity of this yeast—well-known for being difficult to isolate and grow in vitro—our team has leveraged its full microbiological expertise to develop a dedicated and controlled culture protocol, tailored to the specific metabolic requirements of Malassezia restricta. Lipid enrichment, precise incubation conditions, controlled growth kinetics—every parameter has been optimized to ensure a stable, reproducible, and exploitable culture for R&D applications.
Today, Smaltis is able to cultivate Malassezia restricta strains to support innovative projects aimed at developing new active ingredients or anti-dandruff formulations. This advancement paves the way for studies on microbial models representative of the scalp and allows for a deeper understanding of interactions between yeasts and dermatologically relevant compounds.
Is your project focused on the skin microbiota? Need a Malassezia model for your evaluations?
Our experts are here to co-develop your study and adapt our models to meet your specific objectives.
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Once upon a time, an invisible battle was raging deep inside our noses. A microscopic battlefield, where bacteria fought relentlessly to defend their territory. Picture a small village of indomitable Gauls, surrounded on all sides… but instead of Romans, it’s microbes. And in this surprisingly strategic setting, a most unexpected antibiotic was discovered: lugdunin.
2026: Taking on New Scientific Challenges Together
As we step into 2026, the entire Smaltis team sends you our warmest wishes. May this new year bring clarity, creativity, meaningful collaborations — and a few scientific breakthroughs that get the attention they deserve.
Antimicrobial activity testing: measuring, understanding, and anticipating resistance
Every day, antimicrobials face their natural adversaries: bacteria.
But in this silent war, nothing remains static — bacteria learn, adapt, defend themselves… and develop increasingly sophisticated resistance mechanisms.
Smaltis is a microbiology CRO specialized in the study of antimicrobial resistance and the preclinical development of antimicrobials.
We support the developers of new antibiotics, peptides, biocides, and other anti-infective agents with a comprehensive panel of in vitro assays designed to meet the most demanding R&D challenges.
Smaltis at the Key Industry Events of Autumn 2025! From medical devices to biotherapies, from fundamental research to industrial production, we meet project leaders to better understand microbiology needs and build new collaborations.
New Offer Structure: 2 Business Units Supporting Your Projects
At Smaltis, our ambition remains unchanged: bringing microbiological excellence to your innovations.
To better address the diversity of your needs, we have structured our offer around 2 complementary Business Units, true pillars of our scientific and technical commitment.
Malassezia: Cultivating the Invisible – A Challenge Met
Some yeasts are particularly resistant… especially Malassezia restricta.
This lipophilic yeast, naturally present on human skin, is involved in various imbalances of the skin microbiota, notably those linked to dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis. But cultivating it in the laboratory is no easy task!
Once upon a time was cheese, a high place of communication between fungi and bacteria.
Attracted by the smell of French cheeses, a team from Tufts University published work on how, in Camembert, Roquefort and other festivities, bacteria use compounds produced by fungi and adapt their behavior.
Once upon a time, the English bacteriologist Ernest Hankin demonstrated for the first time the presence of anti-bacterial entities in the waters of Indian rivers, putting humanity on the path to a promising anti-infectious therapy that is more relevant than ever.
Smaltis attends the 34th edition of the ECCMID international congress, renamed ESCMID Global, in Barcelona from April 27 to 30, 2024. This clinical microbiology and infectious diseases event is one of the largest and most important congresses in the field of infection, bringing together over 16,000 participants from all over the world to contribute to the dissemination of scientific knowledge.
Smaltis attends the Sanofi Vaccines R&D Day, organized by Sanofi in partnership with Lyonbiopôle, Enosis Santé and Polepharma!
This event aims to foster partnerships around 5 themes: antimicrobial approaches, therapeutic vaccines and antibodies, mucosal or skin delivery of vaccines, immunology, and antigen design. Quite a program!
Cédric Muller will be present at this event, which will take place on April 11, 2024, at 14 Espace Henry Vallée in Lyon.
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