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Dieter Oesterhelt

Dieter Oesterhelt

D-Index & Metrics

Discipline name D-Index World Ranking National Ranking Publications Citations
Chemistry 111 777 57 542 44420

Dieter Oesterhelt publications per year

The chart shows the history of publications by Dieter Oesterhelt between 1963 and 2022, highlighting the no. of papers published in each year and offering an overview of the publication velocity of this scholar. Dieter Oesterhelt published across 60 years, from 1963 to 2022, averaging 9.8 papers a year. Output peaked at 33 publications in 1990. 2 of the 587 publications appeared in the last two years.

No. of publications
10 20 30
Bar chart. Horizontal axis: year, 1963 to 2022. Vertical axis: number of publications, 0 to 33. Peak 33 publications in 1990. 1963: 1 publication 1964: 0 publications 1965: 0 publications 1966: 1 publication 1967: 0 publications 1968: 0 publications 1969: 3 publications 1970: 0 publications 1971: 2 publications 1972: 1 publication 1973: 4 publications 1974: 3 publications 1975: 5 publications 1976: 13 publications 1977: 10 publications 1978: 8 publications 1979: 4 publications 1980: 11 publications 1981: 6 publications 1982: 11 publications 1983: 9 publications 1984: 16 publications 1985: 15 publications 1986: 10 publications 1987: 17 publications 1988: 14 publications 1989: 25 publications 1990: 33 publications 1991: 18 publications 1992: 20 publications 1993: 30 publications 1994: 19 publications 1995: 23 publications 1996: 10 publications 1997: 18 publications 1998: 17 publications 1999: 15 publications 2000: 16 publications 2001: 10 publications 2002: 17 publications 2003: 13 publications 2004: 6 publications 2005: 18 publications 2006: 15 publications 2007: 18 publications 2008: 21 publications 2009: 19 publications 2010: 10 publications 2011: 8 publications 2012: 2 publications 2013: 4 publications 2014: 2 publications 2015: 3 publications 2016: 3 publications 2017: 3 publications 2018: 1 publication 2019: 2 publications 2020: 2 publications 2021: 0 publications 2022: 2 publications
1963 2022

587 publications in total across all disciplines

View publications per year as a table
Dieter Oesterhelt: publications per year, 1963 to 2022
Year Publications
1963 1
1964 0
1965 0
1966 1
1967 0
1968 0
1969 3
1970 0
1971 2
1972 1
1973 4
1974 3
1975 5
1976 13
1977 10
1978 8
1979 4
1980 11
1981 6
1982 11
1983 9
1984 16
1985 15
1986 10
1987 17
1988 14
1989 25
1990 33
1991 18
1992 20
1993 30
1994 19
1995 23
1996 10
1997 18
1998 17
1999 15
2000 16
2001 10
2002 17
2003 13
2004 6
2005 18
2006 15
2007 18
2008 21
2009 19
2010 10
2011 8
2012 2
2013 4
2014 2
2015 3
2016 3
2017 3
2018 1
2019 2
2020 2
2021 0
2022 2
Total 587
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Dieter Oesterhelt publication distribution in Chemistry in 2026

The chart shows the distribution of publications by all Research.com ranked scientists in the field of Chemistry in 2026. The highlighted bar marks where Dieter Oesterhelt sits on this spectrum.

No. of scientists
250 500 750 1,000 1,250
Bar chart with 63 bars. Horizontal axis: publications, 61–80 to 1,295+. Vertical axis: number of scientists, 0 to 1,350. Most scientists, 1,350, have 161–180 publications. The last bar groups every scientist with 1,295 publications or more. The highlighted bar, 541–560 publications, is where this scientist sits. 61–80 publications: 66 scientists 81–100 publications: 302 scientists 101–120 publications: 623 scientists 121–140 publications: 918 scientists 141–160 publications: 1,218 scientists 161–180 publications: 1,350 scientists 181–200 publications: 1,344 scientists 201–220 publications: 1,281 scientists 221–240 publications: 1,216 scientists 241–260 publications: 1,100 scientists 261–280 publications: 979 scientists 281–300 publications: 939 scientists 301–320 publications: 764 scientists 321–340 publications: 643 scientists 341–360 publications: 628 scientists 361–380 publications: 522 scientists 381–400 publications: 459 scientists 401–420 publications: 397 scientists 421–440 publications: 327 scientists 441–460 publications: 270 scientists 461–480 publications: 265 scientists 481–500 publications: 252 scientists 501–520 publications: 201 scientists 521–540 publications: 185 scientists 541–560 publications: 148 scientists 561–580 publications: 148 scientists 581–600 publications: 132 scientists 601–620 publications: 114 scientists 621–640 publications: 104 scientists 641–660 publications: 91 scientists 661–680 publications: 92 scientists 681–700 publications: 73 scientists 701–720 publications: 57 scientists 721–740 publications: 54 scientists 741–760 publications: 67 scientists 761–780 publications: 45 scientists 781–800 publications: 46 scientists 801–820 publications: 39 scientists 821–840 publications: 32 scientists 841–860 publications: 36 scientists 861–880 publications: 29 scientists 881–900 publications: 26 scientists 901–920 publications: 24 scientists 921–940 publications: 14 scientists 941–960 publications: 23 scientists 961–980 publications: 28 scientists 981–1,000 publications: 15 scientists 1,001–1,020 publications: 29 scientists 1,021–1,040 publications: 12 scientists 1,041–1,060 publications: 19 scientists 1,061–1,080 publications: 12 scientists 1,081–1,100 publications: 6 scientists 1,101–1,120 publications: 8 scientists 1,121–1,140 publications: 12 scientists 1,141–1,160 publications: 5 scientists 1,161–1,180 publications: 6 scientists 1,181–1,200 publications: 14 scientists 1,201–1,220 publications: 7 scientists 1,221–1,240 publications: 2 scientists 1,241–1,260 publications: 6 scientists 1,261–1,280 publications: 4 scientists 1,281–1,294 publications: 6 scientists 1,295+ publications: 100 scientists
61–80 publications 1,295+

This scientist: 542 publications — 91st percentile

91% of scientists in this discipline score the same or lower.

The last bar groups every scientist with 1,295 publications or more.

View publications distribution as a table
Number of Chemistry scientists by publication count, Research.com 2026 ranking edition. Based on 17,934 ranked scientists.
Publications Scientists This scientist
61–80 66
81–100 302
101–120 623
121–140 918
141–160 1,218
161–180 1,350
181–200 1,344
201–220 1,281
221–240 1,216
241–260 1,100
261–280 979
281–300 939
301–320 764
321–340 643
341–360 628
361–380 522
381–400 459
401–420 397
421–440 327
441–460 270
461–480 265
481–500 252
501–520 201
521–540 185
541–560 148 542
561–580 148
581–600 132
601–620 114
621–640 104
641–660 91
661–680 92
681–700 73
701–720 57
721–740 54
741–760 67
761–780 45
781–800 46
801–820 39
821–840 32
841–860 36
861–880 29
881–900 26
901–920 24
921–940 14
941–960 23
961–980 28
981–1,000 15
1,001–1,020 29
1,021–1,040 12
1,041–1,060 19
1,061–1,080 12
1,081–1,100 6
1,101–1,120 8
1,121–1,140 12
1,141–1,160 5
1,161–1,180 6
1,181–1,200 14
1,201–1,220 7
1,221–1,240 2
1,241–1,260 6
1,261–1,280 4
1,281–1,294 6
1,295+ 100
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Dieter Oesterhelt D-index placement in Chemistry in 2026

The chart shows the D-index (discipline H-index) distribution of Chemistry scientists ranked by Research.com in 2026. The highlighted bar marks where Dieter Oesterhelt sits on this spectrum.

No. of scientists
250 500 750 1,000
Bar chart with 61 bars. Horizontal axis: D-Index, 40–41 to 159+. Vertical axis: number of scientists, 0 to 1,051. Most scientists, 1,051, have 56–57 D-Index. The last bar groups every scientist with 159 D-Index or more. The highlighted bar, 110–111 D-Index, is where this scientist sits. 40–41 D-Index: 289 scientists 42–43 D-Index: 612 scientists 44–45 D-Index: 808 scientists 46–47 D-Index: 776 scientists 48–49 D-Index: 835 scientists 50–51 D-Index: 861 scientists 52–53 D-Index: 872 scientists 54–55 D-Index: 933 scientists 56–57 D-Index: 1,051 scientists 58–59 D-Index: 930 scientists 60–61 D-Index: 882 scientists 62–63 D-Index: 834 scientists 64–65 D-Index: 731 scientists 66–67 D-Index: 775 scientists 68–69 D-Index: 683 scientists 70–71 D-Index: 646 scientists 72–73 D-Index: 561 scientists 74–75 D-Index: 501 scientists 76–77 D-Index: 437 scientists 78–79 D-Index: 388 scientists 80–81 D-Index: 354 scientists 82–83 D-Index: 292 scientists 84–85 D-Index: 275 scientists 86–87 D-Index: 254 scientists 88–89 D-Index: 235 scientists 90–91 D-Index: 185 scientists 92–93 D-Index: 192 scientists 94–95 D-Index: 155 scientists 96–97 D-Index: 163 scientists 98–99 D-Index: 125 scientists 100–101 D-Index: 105 scientists 102–103 D-Index: 105 scientists 104–105 D-Index: 112 scientists 106–107 D-Index: 88 scientists 108–109 D-Index: 68 scientists 110–111 D-Index: 69 scientists 112–113 D-Index: 65 scientists 114–115 D-Index: 79 scientists 116–117 D-Index: 61 scientists 118–119 D-Index: 44 scientists 120–121 D-Index: 37 scientists 122–123 D-Index: 40 scientists 124–125 D-Index: 33 scientists 126–127 D-Index: 26 scientists 128–129 D-Index: 34 scientists 130–131 D-Index: 35 scientists 132–133 D-Index: 25 scientists 134–135 D-Index: 27 scientists 136–137 D-Index: 17 scientists 138–139 D-Index: 16 scientists 140–141 D-Index: 20 scientists 142–143 D-Index: 20 scientists 144–145 D-Index: 15 scientists 146–147 D-Index: 9 scientists 148–149 D-Index: 9 scientists 150–151 D-Index: 16 scientists 152–153 D-Index: 11 scientists 154–155 D-Index: 9 scientists 156–157 D-Index: 3 scientists 158 D-Index: 3 scientists 159+ D-Index: 98 scientists
40–41 D-Index 159+

This scientist: 111 D-Index — 96th percentile

96% of scientists in this discipline score the same or lower.

The last bar groups every scientist with 159 D-Index or more.

View D-Index distribution as a table
Number of Chemistry scientists by D-index, Research.com 2026 ranking edition. Based on 17,934 ranked scientists.
D-Index Scientists This scientist
40–41 289
42–43 612
44–45 808
46–47 776
48–49 835
50–51 861
52–53 872
54–55 933
56–57 1,051
58–59 930
60–61 882
62–63 834
64–65 731
66–67 775
68–69 683
70–71 646
72–73 561
74–75 501
76–77 437
78–79 388
80–81 354
82–83 292
84–85 275
86–87 254
88–89 235
90–91 185
92–93 192
94–95 155
96–97 163
98–99 125
100–101 105
102–103 105
104–105 112
106–107 88
108–109 68
110–111 69 111
112–113 65
114–115 79
116–117 61
118–119 44
120–121 37
122–123 40
124–125 33
126–127 26
128–129 34
130–131 35
132–133 25
134–135 27
136–137 17
138–139 16
140–141 20
142–143 20
144–145 15
146–147 9
148–149 9
150–151 16
152–153 11
154–155 9
156–157 3
158 3
159+ 98
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Research.com Recognitions

  • 2021 - Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research, Lasker Foundation
  • 2002 - Paul Karrer Gold Medal, University of Zurich
  • 1989 - Member of Academia Europaea
  • 1989 - German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina - Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina – Nationale Akademie der Wissenschaften Biochemistry and Biophysics
  • 1983 - Liebig-Denkmünze (Liebig Medal), Society of German Chemists
  • Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)
  • Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts
  • Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)
  • Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts
  • Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)
  • Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts
  • Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)
  • Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts
  • Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)
  • Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts
  • Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)
  • Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts
  • Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)
  • Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts
  • Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)
  • Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts

Overview

Dieter Oesterhelt was affiliated with the Max Planck Society in Germany and contributed to research primarily within the field of Biochemistry, Genetics, and Molecular Biology. Their scholarly output focused on various subfields, including Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Genetics, and Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience.

The main topics that featured in their work were:

  • RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
  • Microbial Natural Products and Biosynthesis
  • Microbial Metabolic Engineering and Bioproduction
  • Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology
  • Protein Structure and Dynamics
  • Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms
  • Photoreceptor and optogenetics research

Oesterhelt's recent publications included:

  • "Analysis of the co-translational assembly of the fungal fatty acid synthase (FAS)", published in 2020 in Scientific Reports
  • "Structural insights into the mechanism of archaellar rotational switching", published in 2022 in Nature Communications

Their frequent co-authors were Martin Grininger, M. Dominik Fischer, Mirko Joppe, Barbara Mulinacci, and Ronnald Vollrath.

In addition to journal articles, Oesterhelt authored a book titled Leben mit Licht und Farbe: Ein biochemisches Gespräch [Life with Light and Colour: A Biochemical Conversation, German Language], published in 2022 by GNT-Verlag GmbH eBooks.

Oesterhelt was recognized by multiple awards and honors throughout their career, including:

  • Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research, Lasker Foundation (2021)
  • Paul Karrer Gold Medal, University of Zurich (2002)
  • Membership in Academia Europaea (1989)
  • Member of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina - Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina - Nationale Akademie der Wissenschaften with a focus on Biochemistry and Biophysics (1989)
  • Liebig-Denkmünze (Liebig Medal), Society of German Chemists (1983)
  • Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts
  • Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)

Best Publications

  • Rhodopsin-like Protein from the Purple Membrane of Halobacterium halobium

    Dieter Oesterhelt;Dieter Oesterhelt;Walther Stoeckenius

  • Isolation of the cell membrane of Halobacterium halobium and its fractionation into red and purple membrane

    Dieter Oesterhelt;Walther Stoeckenius

  • Functions of a New Photoreceptor Membrane

    Dieter Oesterhelt;Walther Stoeckenius

  • Unfolding pathways of individual bacteriorhodopsins.

    F. Oesterhelt;D. Oesterhelt;M. Pfeiffer;Andreas Engel

  • Closing in on bacteriorhodopsin: progress in understanding the molecule.

    Ulrich Haupts;Jörg Tittor;Dieter Oesterhelt

  • Structure of the Light-Driven Chloride Pump Halorhodopsin at 1.8 Å Resolution

    Michael Kolbe;Hüseyin Besir;Lars-Oliver Essen;Dieter Oesterhelt

  • Lipid patches in membrane protein oligomers: Crystal structure of the bacteriorhodopsin-lipid complex

    L.-O. Essen;R. Siegert;W. D. Lehmann;D. Oesterhelt

  • Electron diffraction analysis of structural changes in the photocycle of bacteriorhodopsin.

    Sriram Subramaniam;Mark Gerstein;Dieter Oesterhelt;Richard Henderson

  • Bacteriorhodopsin: a biological material for information processing

    Dieter Oesterhelt;Christoph Bräuchle;Norbert Hampp

  • Role of aspartate-96 in proton translocation by bacteriorhodopsin.

    Klaus Gerwert;Benno Hess;Jorg Soppa;Dieter Oesterhelt

  • Reversible photolysis of the purple complex in the purple membrane of Halobacterium halobium.

    Dieter Oesterhelt;Benno Hess

  • Proton migration along the membrane surface and retarded surface to bulk transfer

    Joachim Heberle;Jens Riesle;Gerd Thiedemann;Dieter Oesterhelt

  • Methoden der enzymatischen Analyse. Herausgeg. vonH.U.Bergmeyer. Verlag Chemie GmbH, Weinheim/Bergstr. 1970. 2. Aufl., LXIX, 2220 S., zahlr. Abb., geb. DM 285.—

    Feodor Lynen;Dieter Oesterhelt

  • Reversible dissociation of the purple complex in bacteriorhodopsin and identification of 13-cis and all-trans-retinal as its chromophores.

    Dieter Oesterhelt;Marion Meentzen;Liselotte Schuhmann

  • The structure and mechanism of the family of retinal proteins from halophilic archaea.

    Dieter Oesterhelt

  • The 'light' and 'medium' subunits of the photosynthetic reaction centre from Rhodopseudomonas viridis: isolation of the genes, nucleotide and amino acid sequence.

    Hartmut Michel;Karl Aloys Weyer;H. Gruenberg;I. Dunger

  • Excited-state reaction dynamics of bacteriorhodopsin studied by femtosecond spectroscopy

    J. Dobler;Wolfgang Zinth;Wolfgang Kaiser;Dieter Oesterhelt

  • Observation of a bacteriochlorophyll anion radical during the primary charge separation in a reaction center

    Wolfgang Holzapfel;Ulrich Finkele;Wolfgang Kaiser;Dieter Oesterhelt

  • Aspartic acids 96 and 85 play a central role in the function of bacteriorhodopsin as a proton pump.

    Hans-Jürgen Butt;Klaus Fendler;Ernst Bamberg;Jörg Tittor

  • Initial electron-transfer in the reaction center from Rhodobacter sphaeroides.

    Wolfgang Holzapfel;Ulrich Finkele;Wolfgang Kaiser;Dieter Oesterhelt

  • Electron diffraction analysis ofstructural changesinthe photocycle ofbacteriorhodopsin

    Sriram Subramaniam;Dieter Oesterhelt

Frequent Co-Authors

Wolfgang Zinth
Wolfgang Zinth Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Josef Wachtveitl
Josef Wachtveitl Goethe University Frankfurt
Christoph Bräuchle
Christoph Bräuchle Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Luis Moroder
Luis Moroder Max Planck Society
Ernst Bamberg
Ernst Bamberg Max Planck Society
Giuseppe Zaccai
Giuseppe Zaccai Centre national de la recherche scientifique, CNRS
Hartmut Michel
Hartmut Michel Max Planck Society
Peter Hegemann
Peter Hegemann Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Jörg Soppa
Jörg Soppa Goethe University Frankfurt
Stephan C. Schuster
Stephan C. Schuster Nanyang Technological University

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