The University of Florida Emerging Pathogens Institute has joined the Global Virus Network, a coalition of eminent human and animal virologists who share a mission to support pandemic preparedness against viral pathogens and diseases threatening global public health.
The GVN brings together infectious disease professionals dedicated to improving what we know about viruses and committed to developing drugs and vaccines to prevent disease. With over 80 virology centers of excellence in more than 40 countries, the GVN offers the vital expertise needed to identify and diagnose viruses that endanger public health, understand how viruses spread, and support the development of diagnostics, therapies and treatments for these viruses.
“This expansion marks another step forward in GVN’s mission to unite the world’s foremost virologists in the pursuit of solutions to global viral threats,” GVN co-founder Robert C. Gallo, M.D., said. “This strategic growth makes the GVN a critical force in virus research and preparedness.”
Headquartered at the University of South Florida, the GVN coordinates and collaborates with government agencies and local, national and international scientific institutions to provide real-time virus resources and strategies for informatics, surveillance and response.
Since its founding, the EPI has dedicated its efforts to advancing interdisciplinary research on the emergence and control of human, animal and plant pathogens that impact the world. The institute unites experts across disciplines to confront the world’s most pressing infectious disease threats from Zika and dengue to citrus greening and drug-resistant bacteria.
The EPI houses 12 BSL-3 laboratories, a BSL-3 greenhouse, an aquatic pathology lab and a satellite BSL-3 site in Haiti. The institute’s next-generation sequencing and high-performance data infrastructure support global virus evolution, control and transmission collaborations.
“Through our integrated approach combining clinical diagnostics, high-containment research and advanced genomic technologies, we aim to contribute meaningful solutions to global viral threats. We are excited to collaborate across the GVN network to foster scientific exchange and innovation,” EPI Interim Director Marco Salemi, Ph.D., said.
The ideal positioning of the EPI’s biocontainment facilities enables tailored disease prevention strategies grounded in the notion that pathogens transcend borders. By combining cutting-edge research, surveillance and international partnerships, the institute plays a crucial role in safeguarding public health locally and globally.