NATIONAL FERRET RESOURCE AND RESEARCH CENTER ON LUNG DISEASE

University Of Iowa, Iowa City IA

Investigators

Abstract

During the proposed funding period, the NFLRRC seeks to facilitate the utilization of ferret models for lung disease by generating genetically modified animals, biological specimens, reagents, and data easily accessible, and by expanding the genetic toolbox for ferret-based research on lung biology. Our work will focus on three objectives: 1) Distribute ferrets, and biologic specimens from ferrets, for the study of lung disease and lung biology and for the testing of therapeutics; 2) Generate additional genetic ferret models relevant to lung disease and lung biology; and 3) Maintain and build a repository of reagents and information needed for ferret research. The expected accomplishments of establishing the proposed NFLRRC are facilitation (at both the technical and fiscal levels) of the utilization of ferret models in the study of lung disease, for which other animal models are not well suited. This undertaking has had, and will continue to have, a broad impact on our understanding of diseases for which other animal models have failed to accurately recapitulate the human phenotypes.