Am J Chin Med. 1993 ; 21(1): 91-101.

Bioelectrochemical oscillations in signal transduction and acupuncture--an emerging paradigm.

Shang C.

Renal Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown 02129.

Several converging points from recent research results on cellular signal transduction, pattern formation, bioelectromagnetism and acupuncture are reviewed. These converging points indicate the general importance of bioelectrochemical oscillations in morphogenesis and physiology: An organism is not only a system of molecules and cells, but also a system of oscillations. These oscillations precede the morphological changes in development or pathology. Converging discoveries and hypotheses in different fields, and a perspective on their potential application in biomedicine are also discussed in this article.