Research A world-class research institute to facilitate interdisciplinary studies
With ongoing research in 30 countries across six continents, the Emerging Pathogens Institute believes in improving the quality and health of all seven billion lives that share our world.
Research purpose
Why Infectious Diseases?
New and re-emerging diseases threaten tourism, health and economy, which are particularly vulnerable due to mild climate and diverse agriculture found in certain regions. Weather patterns, commercial plant imports and travel all have the potential to unwittingly carry pathogens from one country or state into another. The Emerging Pathogens Institute fuses key disciplines to develop research, education and outreach capabilities designed to preserve health and economy, and to prevent or contain new and re-emerging diseases.
Research features
Uncovering unique approaches to tuberculosis…
Tuberculosis, a disease that primarily affects the lungs, is still a leading infectious killer estimated to have caused 1.3 million deaths in 2022…
Invasive snakes brought a parasite that is…
In addition to preying on endangered native wildlife, the invasive Burmese python also brought a deadly parasite to Florida’s snakes: Raillietiella…
Yes, humans can get their pets sick: reverse…
More pets may be getting sick from their owners than scientist have previously known. Reverse zoonoses are infectious diseases that jump from humans…
Research News
EPI Research Day: ‘Team science’ drives…
Global collaborations remain a recurring theme at EPI Research Day 2024, emphasizing their impact in driving breakthroughs in infectious diseases.
EPI member testing innovative tech to safely…
A researcher at the UF Emerging Pathogens Institute partners with a tech company to study sterilization of samples received from Space.
Chronic wasting disease, fatal to deer, arrives…
UF scientists keep communication channels open with deer farmers amid the detection of chronic wasting disease in Florida.
research briefs
UF experts join with partners at UNC and Johns…
Two UF EPI infectious disease experts are part of a new CDC-funded outbreak analytics and disease modeling network
Immune-boosting therapy helps honey bees resist…
Scientists have successfully tested a novel way of boosting honey bees’ immune systems to help them fend off deadly viruses, which have contributed…
Study: Where bison roam could spread microbes
A new study from University of Florida and Kansas State University researchers found that bison carry plant-associated fungi in their saliva, with…
Expert Q&A’s
UF expert discusses leprosy and increased cases…
UF expert answers important questions about leprosy and the impact of leprosy in Florida.
UF expert answers questions about the newly…
On May 3, the FDA approved a vaccine to prevent respiratory syncytial virus in older adults. Dr. Cindy Prins answers some common questions about RSV…
Q&A: What to know about bird flu
UF microbiologist and virus expert John Lednicky, Ph.D., shares his perspective on the current avian influenza, or bird flu, outbreak in the U.S.
Research Archive
Gut bacteria blocks and enhances virus
A new study published in Nature Microbiology reveals that bacteria present in different regions of the gastrointestinal tract either enhance or block…
Taking Ebola’s measure
New research by EPI’s Burton Singer quantifies how civil disruption and violence has unraveled Ebola control measures in the Democratic Republic of…
Eggplant’s newest pathogenic fungus
A known pathogenic fungus, so far only reported to cause disease in two crops, has ensnared a third victim: eggplants. UF plant pathologists…