Associate Director of Mycobacteriology, Division of Medical Microbiology
Instructor of Pathology
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
Department of Pathology
Division of Microbiology
Meyer B1-193
600 North Wolfe Street
Baltimore, MD 21287-7093
Phone: (410) 550-3525 or (410) 955-5077
Fax: (410) 614-8087
Email: nparrish@jhmi.edu
Education and Training:
- Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health
- Postdoctoral Fellowship, Medical Microbiology, Johns Hopkins University
Professional Interests:
Tuberculosis continues to be the leading cause of death worldwide due to an infectious agent. Of greater concern in recent years, is the emergence of multi-drug resistance and the increasing incidence of infection with atypical mycobacteria in immunocompromised patients. These factors have highlighted the need for new antibiotics targeting these organisms. My primary research focus is aimed at characterization of the mechanism of action of a novel class of antimycobacterial compounds, which have demonstrated potent in vitro efficacy against pathogenic mycobacteria, including multi-drug resistant strains. A variety of methods lead this approach including, proteomics, protein and lipid biochemistry as well as current molecular techniques. My clinical research interests include development of new and improved diagnostic tests for the detection of mycobacteria in clinical samples.
Notable Accomplishments:
Patents for the use "Synthesis of Novel Compounds for the Treatment of Mycobacteria" and the "Use of octanoic acid for the enhancement of growth in mycobacteria".
Major Professional Leadership:
- Ad Hoc reviewer for Journal of Clinical Microbiology
- Ad Hoc reviewer for NIH/NIAID grants
- Member-Alumni Council, Johns Hopkins University
Recent Publications:
Parrish, N.M., C.A. Townsend, C.G. Ko, and J.D. Dick. 2004. Effect of n-Octanesulfonylacetamide (OSA) on ATP and protein expression in Mycobacterium bovis BCG. J. Antimicrob. Chemother. 54(4): 722-729.
Parrish, N.M., C.A. Townsend, C.G. Ko, and J.D. Dick. Congo red agar colony morphotypes and antibiotic susceptibility testing of M. avium subspecies paratuberculosis. 2004. Clinical Medicine and Research. 2: 107-114
Parrish, N.M, C. Townsend, P. Jones, T. Houston, and J. Dick. 2001. In vitro activity of a novel antimycobacterial compound, N-octanesulfonylacetamide, and its effects on lipid and mycolic acid synthesis. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 45:1143-1150.
Jones, P.B., N.M. Parrish, T.A. Houston, A. Stapon, N.P. Bansal, J.D. Dick, and C.A.Townsend. 2000. A new class of antituberculosis agents. J. Med. Chem. 43(17): 3304-14.
Parrish, N.M., F.P. Kuhajda, H.S. Heine, W.R. Bishai, and J.D. Dick. 1999. Antimycobacterial activity of cerulenin and its effects on lipid biosynthesis. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. 43: 219-226.
Parrish, N.M., J. D. Dick and W.R. Bishai. 1998. Mechanisms of latency in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Trends in Microbiology. 6: 107-112.
