UCI
School of Biological Sciences
Developmental and Cell Biology

Shin Lin

Shin Lin, PhD

Shin Lin, Ph.D.
Professor

4230 McGaugh Hall
University of California Irvine
Irvine, CA 92697

Office Tel: (949) 824-4696
Lab Tel: (949) 824-1996
Fax: (949) 824-4709
Email: shinlin@uci.edu
Website: Lab Homepage

Complementary and alternative medicine; physiological and bioenergetic changes associated with mind-body practices and energy therapies. - The goal of our laboratory is gain a better understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying mind-body practices and energy therapies. We hope that our work will help accelerate the integration of these complementary and alternative interventions into Western healthcare and medical education. The focus of our research is on the application of hi-tech approaches (e.g., heart rate variability analysis of electrocardiograms, independent component analysis of electroencephalograms, laser Doppler flowmetry measurement of peripheral blood flow, infrared thermography of body temperature distribution, single square voltage pulse measurement of conductance and capacitance at acupuncture points, gas discharge visualization of bioelectrical charges, single photon counting of biophoton emission, etc. ) to quantitatively study changes in physiological functions and bioenergy levels associated with the ancient mind-body practices of Qigong and Tai Chi. From our on-going studies on dozens of high-level practitioners, we find that these practices can lead to a significant increase in peripheral blood flow, a decrease in sympathetic and an increase in parasympathetic tone in the autonomic nervous system, and an elevation in body energy in the form of heat, light, and electrical charges. Some of these effects are similar to those produced by acupuncture and related therapies, and are different from those resulting from physical exercises. The result of our studies, combined with recent developments in other fields of biomedical research, are used to formulate models to explain the beneficial effects of these Qigong, Tai Chi, and other related practices and therapies on health and healing at the system, cellular, and molecular levels.

Recent Publications

  • Lin, S. and Z. Chen. (2007). A molecular and cellular model for benefits of increased bioenergy from Qigong/Tai Chi practice. J. Altn. & Complement. Med. 13: 905.
  • Lin, S., G. Chevalier, H. Lin, T. Ross, and P. Lin. (2006). Measurement of biophoton emission with a single photon counting system. J. Altn. & Complement. Med. 12: 210-211.
  • Lin, S., G. Chevalier, T. Ross, M. Nguyen, and H. Lin (2006). Variability and specificity of the Single Square Voltage Pulse Method for measuring conductance at acupuncture points for mind-body research. J. Altn. & Complement. Med. 12: 210.
  • Lin, S., Z.Y. Shen, T. Ross, G. Chevalier, and K.M. Shu (2006). Analysis of factors influencing the use of heart rate variability for evaluation of autonomic nervous function in mind/body and acupuncture research. J. Altn. & Complement. Med. 12: 223.
  • Lin, S., G. Chevalier, T. Ross, M. Nguyen, H. Lin, P. Lin, and Y. Lin (2004). Comparison of bioenergy and physiological markers in Qigong and acupuncture research. J. Altn. & Complement. Med. 10: 1135.