The basic biological research of acupuncture originates from clinical practice and serves clinical application. It is the fundamental idea of "acupuncture translational medicine". The animal experiment is indispensable in acupuncture translational medicine, which contributes to simplifying the complex factors affecting the clinical efficacy of acupuncture, observing the effect of the nociceptive stimuli and obtaining the invasive and off-body biomarkers. Focusing on animal experiment, the basic biological research can objectively reveal the structure and function of acupoints, obtain the parameters required by different stimulation methods and clarify the material basis which acupuncture works, so as to provide the references and evidences for acupoint combination and the selection of appropriate stimulation in clinical practice, as well as the development of medical instruments and new drugs.
针灸生物学基础研究“源于临床问题，回归临床应用”，这是“针灸-转化医学研究”的基本思路。动物实验是针灸转化医学不可或缺的部分，有助于将影响针刺临床效应的复杂因素单一化，便于观察伤害性刺激的效应，获取侵入性和离体指标。以动物实验为主体的生物学基础研究可以相对客观地反映腧穴的结构和功能，获取不同刺激方法所需参数，明确针灸起效的物质基础，为临床腧穴配伍、适宜刺激的选择、医疗器械和新药研发提供参考依据。.
Keywords: acupuncture-moxibustion; animal experiment; basic research; translational medicine.