Ferrets and genetically modified ferrets as model organisms in biomedical research: a review

Domestic ferrets have served as experimental animals for over a century, offering a balance between practicality and biological relevance while bridging the gap between rodent and non-human primate models. Their anatomical and physiological similarities to humans, particularly in the respiratory and nervous systems, make ferrets an invaluable model for biomedical research across various disciplines. Recent advances in genome-editing technologies have enabled the efficient creation of genetically modified (GM) ferrets, significantly expanding their applications in basic and translational research. This review describes the unique biological characteristics of ferrets and their current applications in modeling human pathogenic infections, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological disorders, as well as other complex diseases that rodent models fail to effectively recapitulate. We also discuss the challenges associated with ferret models and outline the future directions to enhance their utility, with the goal of advancing our understanding of human diseases and supporting the development of novel therapeutics.