GAINESVILLE, FLA. — Construction is under way for the Pathogen Research Facility, slated to house the University of Florida's (UFL) new Emerging Pathogens Institute that aims to improve disease preparedness, prevention and treatment statewide.

The $56 million, 80,000-square-foot facility will focus on addressing emerging and rapidly growing diseases in plants, animals and humans — a bigger threat in Florida because of its warm climate, tourism and frequent trade with South America, says J. Glenn Morris, director of the Emerging Pathogens Institute.

UFL has a long history of pathogen evaluation and research, including studies of mosquitoes, anthrax and emerging animal diseases, Morris says.