News
Ferrets critical to the development of Monulparivir, an antiviral drug that stops the spread of coronavirus December 6, 2020
Ferrets were critical to the development of Monulparivir, an antiviral drug that stops the spread of coronavirus. This new drug could be a vital tool for stopping community transmission of the coronavirus causing COVID-19. Ferrets are an ideal model for this research because they can contract and spread the virus, but they do not develop severe symptoms, which is similar to young adult humans. https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/361060… read more →
Ferrets helped to evaluate a nasal spray treatment for the virus that causes COVID-19 November 12, 2020
Ferrets helped to evaluate a nasal spray treatment for the virus that causes COVID-19. Ferrets are a valuable model for COVID-19 because they can contract the virus through their noses similar to humans. All of the ferrets treated with the nasal spray were protected against COVID-19. https://www.mother.ly/news/researchers-are-working-on-a-kid-friendly-nasal-vaccine-for-covid-19 read more →
National Academies Affirms Scientific Necessity of VA Canine Research July 1, 2020
A National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) study has confirmed that the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) canine research is “scientifically necessary" for research that benefits Veterans.https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=5480 read more →
Mice, Hamsters, Ferrets, and Monkeys Among the Animals Involved in Defeating the New Coronavirus April 12, 2020
Several animal models are helping scientists understand COVID-19 and evaluate treatments. Among these animal models include Syrian hamsters, mice, rats, ferrets, and monkeys. Each model brings unique strengths towards defeating COVID-19. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/04/mice-hamsters-ferrets-monkeys-which-lab-animals-can-help-defeat-new-coronavirus read more →
Covid-19 Vaccine Trials Begin in Ferrets April 4, 2020
Scientists at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) in Australia have begun a trial in ferrets to evaluate two vaccine candidates for COVID-19. The research is being performed to determine if the vaccines work and if they will be safe for human testing. https://asiatimes.com/2020/04/covid-19-vaccine-ferret-trials-begin-in-australia/ read more →
Laboratory at the University of Saskatchewan Tests Potential Coronavirus Vaccine on Ferrets April 1, 2020
The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac) at the University of Saskatchewan generated a vaccine for the novel coronavirus and will be utilizing a ferret model to determine if the vaccine works. https://globalnews.ca/news/6762600/coronavirus-saskatoon-vido-covid-19/ read more →
FDA Funds the Development of Ferret Models for SARS-Cov-2 March 31, 2020
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration awarded a contract to Public Health England (PHE) to work on developing a ferret model for SARS-CoV-2 to assist scientists in understanding and characterizing the virus. https://www.newsweek.com/fda-coronavirus-funding-testing-ferrets-research-covid-19-1495236 read more →
Covid-19 Vaccine Trials in Ferrets Begin in UK Next Month March 19, 2020
Public Health England plans to run a coronavirus vaccine challenge studies in ferrets and macaques to determine if the vaccine prevents the buildup of virus in the animals and protects their lungs from damage. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/mar/19/uk-drive-develop-coronavirus-vaccine-science read more →
The Flu Vaccine: Another Animal Research Victory December 20, 2019
It's that time of year again where the threat of the flu hangs in the air and people scramble to their local pharmacies to get their annual flu shot. Did you know this life-saving vaccine was created thanks to animal research?https://fbresearch.org/the-flu-vaccine-another-animal-research-victory/ read more →
Clinvet continues global expansion with US joint venture May 8, 2019
South Africa-headquartered contract research organization Clinvet is extending its global reach through a joint venture with Marshall BioResources in the US.https://animalpharm.agribusinessintelligence.informa.com/AP015681/Clinvet-continues-global-expansion-with-US-joint-venture read more →
Upcoming ILAR Webinar on Dogs in Biomedical Research May 2, 2019
The National Academies of Science (NAS) Institute for Laboratory Animal Research (ILAR) will be hosting a public webinar on "The Uses of Dogs in Biomedical Research" on Tuesday, May 7, 9:30 am-11:00 am ET. Registration is free and open to the public. You can register here. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1st-webinar-of-the-committee-on-assessing-the-use-of-dogs-at-the-va-tickets-60874793145?utm_source=Division+on+Earth+and+Life+Studies&utm_campaign=6da8ed4394-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_03_15_03_00_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_3c0b1ad5c8-6da8ed4394-278819829&mc_cid=6da8ed4394&mc_eid=5ec62dce18… read more →
Canine Research in the VA May 2, 2019
The Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Research and Development has updated its website to include new resources on their canine research program. These resources can be used to help educate the public about canine use in biomedical research, focusing on the VA program specifically.https://www.research.va.gov/programs/animal_research/canine_research/ read more →
Treating cystic fibrosis patients before birth could safeguard organs March 27, 2019
Children with cystic fibrosis can have lung disease, failed pancreases and fertility problems. Research in ferrets suggests that treating patients with a drug in the womb may protect against those issues.https://www.sciencenews.org/article/treating-cystic-fibrosis-patients-birth-could-safeguard-organs?mc_cid=303e18abdf&mc_eid=7e052cc54e read more →
New research could improve outcomes for dogs with common cancer January 11, 2019
Researchers identified genetic changes that occur as canine cutaneous mast cell tumors spread, and the findings, published in PLOS One, could enable veterinarians to better predict metastasis risk and might lead to the development of new treatments. Mastocytomas also affect people, and researcher Mike Starkey says anything scientists discover about canine cancer furthers understanding of the corresponding… read more →
Broad-Range Ebola Drug Shows Promise in Animal Tests January 11, 2019
A drug that combines two antibodies protected ferrets and monkeys against the Bundibugyo, Sudan and Zaire strains of Ebola virus in a single dose, researchers reported in Cell Host & Microbe. The results suggest the drug would continue to offer protection as the virus evolves, says Thomas Geisbert, a professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. https://consumer.healthday.com/diseases-and-conditions-information-37/ebola-969/broad-range-ebola-drug-shows-promise-in-animal-tests-741404.html… read more →
Scientists May Have Cracked Mystery of Tick-Borne Virus January 10, 2019
Scientists have gained a better understanding of a potentially fatal tick-borne virus that emerged in China about a decade ago. They found that aged ferrets with the virus show similar symptoms to older humans infected by it, while young ferrets developed no clinical symptoms. This represents the first time researchers found an acceptable animal model to study the virus and develop possible drugs… read more →
Doctors hail breakthrough in muscular dystrophy treatment August 30, 2018
Doctors in the US have raised hopes of a treatment for muscular dystrophy, the most common fatal genetic condition in children, after mending mutations that cause the disease in dogs. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/aug/30/doctors-hail-breakthrough-in-muscular-dystrophy-treatment read more →
Enlisting Dogs in the War on Cancer January 17, 2018
In the thousands of years they've been domesticated, dogs have helped humans in many ways, from herding sheep and cattle to performing search and rescue duties after disasters. Now dogs have begun aiding us in what might be the most important way yet: finding new ways to fight cancer. http://www.americanveterinarian.com/journals/amvet/2018/january2018/enlisting-dogs-in-the-war-on-cancer read more →
Dogs Help in Breast Carcinoma Research June 7, 2017
Cancer is one of the most frequent diseases not only in people, but in pets as well. Like people, dogs can also suffer from cancer of the mammary glands (mammary tumors). A study performed at the University of Zurich has now shown how similar mammary tumors are in both people and dogs. Research on canine mammary tumors is important for human medicine as well. https://www.laboratoryequipment.com/news/2017/06/dogs-help-breast-carcinoma-research?et_cid=5981609&et_rid=454969368&type=headline&et_cid=5981609&et_rid=454969368&linkid=https%3a%2f%2fwww.laboratoryequipment.com%2fnews%2f2017%2f06%2fdogs-help-breast-carcinoma-research%3fet_cid%3d5981609%26et_rid%3d%25%25subscriberid%25%25%26type%3dheadline… read more →
Animals: Serving our Veterans on and off the Battlefield May 23, 2017
As Memorial Day approaches, we honor the brave men and women who have given their lives for our country. While honoring the soldiers who gave their lives in service of this country, it is important to recognize our obligation also to the brave men and women in uniform who now require treatment for wounds and scars inflicted during battle. With help from animal research and testing, clinicians and… read more →