World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!

D-Index & Metrics

Biology and Biochemistry

D-Index
51
Citations
7603
World Ranking
17333
National Ranking
7124

Theodor O. Diener publication distribution in Biology and Biochemistry in 2026

The chart shows the distribution of publications by all Research.com ranked scientists in the field of Biology and Biochemistry in 2026. The highlighted bar marks where Theodor O. Diener sits on this spectrum.

47–56 publications: 8 scientists 57–66 publications: 35 scientists 67–76 publications: 106 scientists 77–86 publications: 231 scientists 87–96 publications: 413 scientists 97–106 publications: 546 scientists 107–116 publications: 704 scientists 117–126 publications: 848 scientists 127–136 publications: 980 scientists 137–146 publications: 942 scientists 147–156 publications: 969 scientists 157–166 publications: 949 scientists 167–176 publications: 951 scientists 177–186 publications: 915 scientists 187–196 publications: 787 scientists 197–206 publications: 840 scientists 207–216 publications: 733 scientists 217–226 publications: 708 scientists 227–236 publications: 651 scientists 237–246 publications: 605 scientists 247–256 publications: 510 scientists 257–266 publications: 524 scientists 267–276 publications: 434 scientists 277–286 publications: 417 scientists 287–296 publications: 350 scientists 297–306 publications: 363 scientists 307–316 publications: 315 scientists 317–326 publications: 296 scientists 327–336 publications: 261 scientists 337–346 publications: 240 scientists 347–356 publications: 219 scientists 357–366 publications: 196 scientists 367–376 publications: 154 scientists 377–386 publications: 161 scientists 387–396 publications: 155 scientists 397–406 publications: 145 scientists 407–416 publications: 124 scientists 417–426 publications: 112 scientists 427–436 publications: 132 scientists 437–446 publications: 116 scientists 447–456 publications: 99 scientists 457–466 publications: 81 scientists 467–476 publications: 91 scientists 477–486 publications: 80 scientists 487–496 publications: 80 scientists 497–506 publications: 59 scientists 507–516 publications: 36 scientists 517–526 publications: 46 scientists 527–536 publications: 54 scientists 537–546 publications: 44 scientists 547–556 publications: 43 scientists 557–566 publications: 43 scientists 567–576 publications: 42 scientists 577–586 publications: 25 scientists 587–596 publications: 34 scientists 597–606 publications: 23 scientists 607–616 publications: 33 scientists 617–626 publications: 31 scientists 627–636 publications: 27 scientists 637–646 publications: 25 scientists 647–656 publications: 28 scientists 657–666 publications: 34 scientists 667–676 publications: 18 scientists 677–686 publications: 16 scientists 687–696 publications: 10 scientists 697–706 publications: 12 scientists 707–716 publications: 21 scientists 717–726 publications: 12 scientists 727–736 publications: 12 scientists 737–746 publications: 10 scientists 747–756 publications: 7 scientists 757–766 publications: 13 scientists 767–776 publications: 15 scientists 777–786 publications: 13 scientists 787–796 publications: 9 scientists 797–806 publications: 9 scientists 807–816 publications: 7 scientists 817–826 publications: 4 scientists 827–836 publications: 9 scientists 837–846 publications: 7 scientists 847–856 publications: 3 scientists 857–866 publications: 5 scientists 867–876 publications: 5 scientists 877–886 publications: 11 scientists 887–896 publications: 3 scientists 897–906 publications: 4 scientists 907–916 publications: 7 scientists 917–926 publications: 5 scientists 927–936 publications: 6 scientists 937–946 publications: 6 scientists 947–956 publications: 3 scientists 957–966 publications: 7 scientists 967–976 publications: 2 scientists 977–986 publications: 2 scientists 987–996 publications: 1 scientists 997–1,006 publications: 5 scientists 1,007–1,016 publications: 2 scientists 1,017–1,026 publications: 2 scientists 1,027 publications: 1 scientists 1,028+ publications: 100 scientists
47 publications 1,028+

This scientist: 137 publications — 20th percentile

20% of scientists in this discipline score the same or lower.

The last bar groups every scientist with 1,028 publications or more.

Theodor O. Diener D-index placement in Biology and Biochemistry in 2026

The chart shows the D-index (discipline H-index) distribution of Biology and Biochemistry scientists ranked by Research.com in 2026. The highlighted bar marks where Theodor O. Diener sits on this spectrum.

40–41 D-Index: 80 scientists 42–43 D-Index: 183 scientists 44–45 D-Index: 316 scientists 46–47 D-Index: 504 scientists 48–49 D-Index: 718 scientists 50–51 D-Index: 899 scientists 52–53 D-Index: 1,025 scientists 54–55 D-Index: 1,149 scientists 56–57 D-Index: 1,235 scientists 58–59 D-Index: 1,253 scientists 60–61 D-Index: 1,162 scientists 62–63 D-Index: 1,130 scientists 64–65 D-Index: 1,031 scientists 66–67 D-Index: 897 scientists 68–69 D-Index: 814 scientists 70–71 D-Index: 714 scientists 72–73 D-Index: 709 scientists 74–75 D-Index: 596 scientists 76–77 D-Index: 512 scientists 78–79 D-Index: 473 scientists 80–81 D-Index: 412 scientists 82–83 D-Index: 373 scientists 84–85 D-Index: 358 scientists 86–87 D-Index: 285 scientists 88–89 D-Index: 273 scientists 90–91 D-Index: 227 scientists 92–93 D-Index: 208 scientists 94–95 D-Index: 193 scientists 96–97 D-Index: 153 scientists 98–99 D-Index: 157 scientists 100–101 D-Index: 148 scientists 102–103 D-Index: 120 scientists 104–105 D-Index: 113 scientists 106–107 D-Index: 100 scientists 108–109 D-Index: 86 scientists 110–111 D-Index: 67 scientists 112–113 D-Index: 71 scientists 114–115 D-Index: 73 scientists 116–117 D-Index: 64 scientists 118–119 D-Index: 53 scientists 120–121 D-Index: 60 scientists 122–123 D-Index: 54 scientists 124–125 D-Index: 43 scientists 126–127 D-Index: 38 scientists 128–129 D-Index: 49 scientists 130–131 D-Index: 26 scientists 132–133 D-Index: 18 scientists 134–135 D-Index: 23 scientists 136–137 D-Index: 32 scientists 138–139 D-Index: 32 scientists 140–141 D-Index: 27 scientists 142–143 D-Index: 19 scientists 144–145 D-Index: 22 scientists 146–147 D-Index: 12 scientists 148–149 D-Index: 16 scientists 150–151 D-Index: 14 scientists 152–153 D-Index: 10 scientists 154–155 D-Index: 13 scientists 156–157 D-Index: 10 scientists 158–159 D-Index: 7 scientists 160–161 D-Index: 9 scientists 162–163 D-Index: 13 scientists 164–165 D-Index: 4 scientists 166 D-Index: 4 scientists 167+ D-Index: 98 scientists
40 D-Index 167+

This scientist: 51 D-Index — 14th percentile

14% of scientists in this discipline score the same or lower.

The last bar groups every scientist with 167 D-Index or more.

Research.com Recognitions

  • 1987 - Wolf Prize in Agriculture for his discovery and pioneering fundamental research on viroids and his applied work on viroid detection in crops.
  • 1987 - US President's National Medal of Science "For the discovery of viroids, the smallest known agent of infectious disease. This discovery has opened new avenues of molecular research into some of the most serious diseases afflicting plants, animals, and humans.", Presented by President Reagan at a White House Ceremony on June 25, 1987.
  • 1980 - German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina - Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina – Nationale Akademie der Wissenschaften Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences
  • 1978 - Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
  • 1977 - Member of the National Academy of Sciences

Overview

What is he best known for?

The fields of study he is best known for:

  • DNA
  • Gene
  • RNA

Theodor O. Diener mainly investigates Biochemistry, Viroid, Potato spindle tuber viroid, RNA and Virology. His Biochemistry research incorporates themes from Infectivity and Virus. His Virus research incorporates elements of Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Phylogenetic tree.

His Viroid study combines topics from a wide range of disciplines, such as Evolutionary biology, Root crops and Botany. His Potato spindle tuber viroid study combines topics in areas such as Avsunviroidae and DNA. His research integrates issues of Nucleic acid thermodynamics and Recombinant DNA in his study of Virology.

His most cited work include:

  • Potato spindle tuber "virus". IV. A replicating, low molecular weight RNA. (309 citations)
  • Sensitive and rapid diagnosis of potato spindle tuber viroid disease by nucleic Acid hybridization. (198 citations)
  • Circular RNAs: relics of precellular evolution? (130 citations)

What are the main themes of his work throughout his whole career to date?

His main research concerns Virology, Viroid, Potato spindle tuber viroid, RNA and Biochemistry. His Viroid research includes elements of Complementary DNA, Base pair and Phylogenetic tree. His Potato spindle tuber viroid research includes themes of DNA, Molecular biology, Polyacrylamide, Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Nucleic acid thermodynamics.

Theodor O. Diener has included themes like Plant species and Rolling circle replication in his RNA study. His Biochemistry research is multidisciplinary, incorporating perspectives in Infectivity and Chromatography. His Virus research focuses on subjects like Microbiology, which are linked to Algae.

He most often published in these fields:

  • Virology (47.50%)
  • Viroid (52.50%)
  • Potato spindle tuber viroid (50.83%)

What were the highlights of his more recent work (between 1991-2018)?

  • Viroid (52.50%)
  • Genetics (17.50%)
  • Virology (47.50%)

In recent papers he was focusing on the following fields of study:

Viroid, Genetics, Virology, Plant virus and Pospiviroidae are his primary areas of study. His work on Potato spindle tuber viroid as part of his general Viroid study is frequently connected to Human immunodeficiency virus, thereby bridging the divide between different branches of science. Theodor O. Diener has researched Potato spindle tuber viroid in several fields, including Solanum and Phytophthora infestans.

His biological study spans a wide range of topics, including Infectious disease and Replication. His study in the fields of Virus under the domain of Virology overlaps with other disciplines such as Classics and German. The Pospiviroidae study combines topics in areas such as Taxonomy, Nomenclature, Genetic analysis and Chimera.

Between 1991 and 2018, his most popular works were:

  • Climate Change and the Integrity of Science (122 citations)
  • Identification of multiple structural domains regulating viroid pathogenicity. (103 citations)
  • A proposed scheme for viroid classification and nomenclature (98 citations)

In his most recent research, the most cited papers focused on:

  • DNA
  • Gene
  • RNA

Theodor O. Diener mainly focuses on Viroid, Pospiviroidae, Genetics, Avsunviroidae and Virology. His study connects Base sequence and Pospiviroidae. Theodor O. Diener studies Genetics, namely Plant virus.

His work carried out in the field of Plant virus brings together such families of science as Genetic analysis, Entry into host and Virulence. He merges Virology with Executive committee in his research.

Best Publications

  • Potato spindle tuber "virus". IV. A replicating, low molecular weight RNA.

    T.O. Diener

  • Sensitive and rapid diagnosis of potato spindle tuber viroid disease by nucleic Acid hybridization.

    Robert A. Owens;T. O. Diener

  • Circular RNAs: relics of precellular evolution?

    T O Diener

  • Climate Change and the Integrity of Science

    Jennifer Sills;P. H. Gleick;R. M. Adams;R. M. Amasino

  • Viroids and prions.

    T. O. Diener;Michael P. McKinley;Stanley B. Prusiner

  • Potato spindle tuber virus: a plant virus with properties of a free nucleic acid.

    T. O. Diener;W. B. Raymer

  • Viroids and Viroid Diseases

    T. O. Diener

  • A proposed scheme for viroid classification and nomenclature

    R. Flores;J. W. Randles;M. Bar-Joseph;T. O. Diener

  • Identification of multiple structural domains regulating viroid pathogenicity.

    T Sano;T Candresse;R W Hammond;T O Diener

  • Discovering viroids — a personal perspective

    Theodor O. Diener

  • Virus degradation and nucleic acid release in single-phase phenol systems.

    T.O. Diener;I.R. Schneider

  • The viroid: biological oddity or evolutionary fossil?

    Theodor O Diener

  • Potato spindle tuber viroid. XII. An investigation of viroid RNA as a messenger for protein synthesis.

    J.W. Davies;J.W. Davies;P. Kaesberg;P. Kaesberg;T.O. Diener;T.O. Diener

  • Phylogeny of viroids, viroidlike satellite RNAs, and the viroidlike domain of hepatitis delta virus RNA.

    Santiago F. Elena;Joaquin Dopazo;Ricardo Flores;Theodor O. Diener

  • Purified scrapie prions resist inactivation by UV irradiation.

    C Bellinger-Kawahara;J E Cleaver;T O Diener;S B Prusiner

  • Chrysanthemum stunt: a viroid disease.

    T.O. Diener;R.H. Lawson

  • Potato spindle tuber viroid: VIII. Correlation of infectivity with a UV-absorbing component and thermal denaturation properties of the RNA

    Diener To

  • Structural similarities between viroids and transposable genetic elements.

    Michael C. Kiefer;Robert A. Owens;T. O. Diener

  • Viroid processing: a model involving the central conserved region and hairpin I.

    T O Diener

  • RNA intermediates in potato spindle tuber viroid replication

    Robert A. Owens;T. O. Diener

Frequent Co-Authors

Stanley B. Prusiner
Stanley B. Prusiner University of California, San Francisco
Thierry Candresse
Thierry Candresse University of Bordeaux
Ricardo Flores
Ricardo Flores Universitat Politècnica de València
Santiago F. Elena
Santiago F. Elena Santa Fe Institute
Joaquín Dopazo
Joaquín Dopazo Institute of Biomedicine of Seville
Andrés Moya
Andrés Moya University of Valencia
José M. Sogo
José M. Sogo ETH Zurich
Daniel L. Hartl
Daniel L. Hartl Harvard University
Jeffery L. Dangl
Jeffery L. Dangl University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Detlef Weigel
Detlef Weigel Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology

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