World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!
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Microbiology
South Africa
2026

D-Index & Metrics

Microbiology

D-Index
84
Citations
19035
World Ranking
950
National Ranking
2

Research.com Recognitions

  • 2026 - Research.com Microbiology in South Africa Leader Award
  • 2025 - Research.com Microbiology in South Africa Leader Award
  • 2022 - Research.com Microbiology in South Africa Leader Award
  • Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa
  • Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa
  • Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa
  • Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa

Overview

Leon M. T. Dicks is affiliated with Stellenbosch University in South Africa and has contributed extensively to research in fields intersecting biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, agricultural and biological sciences, and medicine. Their work encompasses a wide range of topics with a focus on microbiology and food biotechnology.

Their main areas of study include biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology, agricultural and biological sciences, and medicine. Subfields in which they have substantial publications are molecular biology, food science, biotechnology, insect science, and infectious diseases.

The primary research topics covered by their work involve:

  • Probiotics and Fermented Foods
  • Gut microbiota and health
  • Microbial Metabolites in Food Biotechnology
  • Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
  • Gastrointestinal motility and disorders
  • Infant Health and Development
  • Bacteriophages and microbial interactions

Leon M. T. Dicks has been published frequently in several scientific journals, including:

  • International Journal of Molecular Sciences
  • Microorganisms
  • Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins
  • Gut Microbes
  • Frontiers in Microbiology

Notable recent publications include:

  • "Gut Bacteria and Neurotransmitters," 2022, Microorganisms
  • "Molecular insights into probiotic mechanisms of action employed against intestinal pathogenic bacteria," 2020, Gut Microbes
  • "Probiotics: an Antibiotic Replacement Strategy for Healthy Broilers and Productive Rearing," 2020, Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins
  • "Probiotics at War Against Viruses: What Is Missing From the Picture?" 2020, Frontiers in Microbiology
  • "Therapeutic Application of Lantibiotics and Other Lanthipeptides: Old and New Findings," 2021, Applied and Environmental Microbiology

Dicks collaborates frequently with several fellow researchers, including Anton D. van Staden, Ross Rayne Vermeulen, Winschau F. van Zyl, Marla Trindade, and Elzaan Booysen.

Among honors received, Leon M. T. Dicks holds a Fellowship with the Royal Society of South Africa, reflecting a recognized standing within the scientific community.

Best Publications

  • Functions and emerging applications of bacteriocins.

    Michael L. Chikindas;Richard Weeks;Djamel Drider;Vladimir A. Chistyakov

  • Gut Bacteria and Neurotransmitters

    Unknown

  • Isolation, purification and partial characterization of plantaricin 423, a bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus plantarum

    C. A. Van Reenen;L. M. T. Dicks;M. L. Chikindas

  • Proposal To Reclassify Leuconostoc oenos as Oenococcus oeni (corrig.) gen. nov., comb. nov.

    L. M. T. Dicks;F. Dellaglio;M. D. Collins

  • Characterisation and selection of probiotic lactobacilli for a preliminary minipig feeding trial and their effect on serum cholesterol levels, faeces pH and faeces moisture content

    M. Du Toit;Charles M. A. P. Franz;L.M.T. Dicks;U. Schillinger

  • Lactobacillus plantarum isolated from molasses produces bacteriocins active against Gram-negative bacteria

    S.D. Todorov;L.M.T. Dicks

  • Control of Biofilm Formation: Antibiotics and Beyond

    Ammar Algburi;Ammar Algburi;Nicole Comito;Dimitri Kashtanov;Leon M. T. Dicks

  • Molecular insights into probiotic mechanisms of action employed against intestinal pathogenic bacteria.

    Winschau F. van Zyl;Shelly M. Deane;Leon M.T. Dicks

  • Characterization of pentocin TV35b, a bacteriocin-like peptide isolated from Lactobacillus pentosus with a fungistatic effect on Candida albicans

    D. J. Okkers;L. M. T. Dicks;M. Silvester;J. J. Joubert

  • Boza, a natural source of probiotic lactic acid bacteria.

    S. D. Todorov;M. Botes;Claudia Guigas;U. Schillinger

  • Preliminary characterization of bacteriocins produced by Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis isolated from pig faeces.

    M. Du Toit;C. M. A. P. Franz;L. M. T. Dicks;W. H. Holzapfel

  • Isolation and characterization of fructophilic lactic acid bacteria from fructose-rich niches

    Akihito Endo;Yuka Futagawa-Endo;Leon M.T. Dicks

  • Mode of action of lipid II-targeting lantibiotics.

    R. Bauer;L.M.T. Dicks

  • Probiotic lactic acid bacteria in the gastro-intestinal tract: health benefits, safety and mode of action.

    L. M. T. Dicks;M. Botes

  • Surface-bound proteins of Lactobacillus plantarum 423 that contribute to adhesion of Caco-2 cells and their role in competitive exclusion and displacement of Clostridium sporogenes and Enterococcus faecalis.

    Kamini Ramiah;Carol A. van Reenen;Leon M.T. Dicks

  • Characterisation of an antiviral pediocin-like bacteriocin produced by Enterococcus faecium.

    Svetoslav Dimitrov Todorov;Monica Wachsman;Elisabetta Tomé;Xavier Dousset

  • Characterization of two bacteriocins produced by Pediococcus acidilactici isolated from “Alheira”, a fermented sausage traditionally produced in Portugal

    Helena Albano;Svetoslav D. Todorov;Carol A. van Reenen;Tim Hogg

  • Characterization of bacteriocin ST8KF produced by a kefir isolate Lactobacillus plantarum ST8KF

    J.E. Powell;R.C. Witthuhn;S.D. Todorov;L.M.T. Dicks

  • Control of malolactic fermentation in wine. a review

    R. Bauer;Leon M. T. Dicks

  • Screening for bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria from boza, a traditional cereal beverage from Bulgaria: Comparison of the bacteriocins

    S.D. Todorov;L.M.T. Dicks

  • Pediocin ST18, an anti-listerial bacteriocin produced by Pediococcus pentosaceus ST18 isolated from boza, a traditional cereal beverage from Bulgaria

    Svetoslav D. Todorov;Leon M.T. Dicks

Frequent Co-Authors

Svetoslav Dimitrov Todorov
Svetoslav Dimitrov Todorov Universidade de São Paulo
Akihito Endo
Akihito Endo Tokyo University of Agriculture
Franco Dellaglio
Franco Dellaglio University of Verona
Michael L. Chikindas
Michael L. Chikindas Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Isak S. Pretorius
Isak S. Pretorius Macquarie University
Charles M. A. P. Franz
Charles M. A. P. Franz Max Rubner-Institut
Sandra Torriani
Sandra Torriani University of Verona
Wilhelm H. Holzapfel
Wilhelm H. Holzapfel Handong Global University
Louwrens C. Hoffman
Louwrens C. Hoffman University of Queensland
Bert Klumperman
Bert Klumperman Stellenbosch University

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