Chronobiology · Cardiovascular physiology · Developmental programming

Exploring how time shapes physiology.

I investigate how circadian and ultradian timing shapes cardiovascular function, with an emphasis on prenatal programming and environmental modulation of physiological rhythms.

Comenius University Bratislava Department of Animal Physiology and Ethology
Comenius University Bratislava
Portrait of Ľuboš Molčan
Research focusBiological rhythms
Academic profileResearch · Teaching · Tools

Research

From environmental signals to cardiovascular outcomes

Our work connects long-term physiological monitoring with molecular evidence to understand how timing becomes biology.

01

Prenatal Hypoxia

How circadian timing of acute prenatal hypoxia influences maternal physiology, placental function and long-term cardiovascular vulnerability in offspring.

ProgrammingSex differences
02

Artificial Light at Night

How disrupted circadian integrity modifies sleep-related physiology, autonomic regulation and blood pressure dynamics.

ALANCircadian rhythms
03

Telemetry & Molecular Integration

Long-term telemetry in freely moving animals combined with transcriptomic and protein-level validation.

BP · HR · EEGRNA-seqWestern blotProteomics
Emerging direction

My current work explores ultradian and multiscale spectral fingerprints in long-term physiological recordings.

Current research project · VEGA 1/0327/24

Effects of prenatal ergothioneine administration on the heart, blood vessels and kidneys of offspring exposed to hypoxia during intrauterine development

Principal investigator2024–2027

International mentoring

Learning through real research

The laboratory hosts visiting students through ERASMUS+ and related mobility programmes, focusing on experimental physiology, telemetry data analysis, chronobiology and molecular techniques.

PortugalUSAUzbekistan

2025
Hosting since
3
Students
3
Countries

Publications

Scientific publications

Research impact

Citations per year

114in 2025
3116
2517
2618
2619
3720
6321
7222
7523
9724
11425
7526*

* 2026 is a partial year

Tools & software

Turning rhythmic data into insight

I develop and maintain Cosinor.Online, a browser-based tool for analysing time-distributed data using the classic cosinor model.

Y(t) = MESOR + Amplitude × cos(2πt / Period + φ)
  • Cosinor fit with confidence intervals
  • Polar plot and periodogram visualisations
  • Multiple group and condition comparison
Open Cosinor.Online ↗

Teaching & supervision

Supporting the next generation of scientists

Teaching across bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programmes with an emphasis on physiology, experimental design and scientific practice.

I.

Bachelor’s level

Building foundations

  • Cell Biology
  • Animal and Human Physiology
  • Human Functional Morphology
  • Bachelor Thesis & Seminar
II.

Master’s level

Connecting systems

  • Integrative Physiology
  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Evaluation of Biological Experiments
  • Master Thesis & Diploma Practice
III.

Doctoral level

Advancing expertise

  • Cell Signalling
  • Animal Physiology
  • Individual scientific supervision
13 + 1 ongoing
BSc theses
8 + 1 ongoing
MSc theses
1 ongoing
PhD supervision

Contact

Let’s discuss research, collaboration or student mobility.

I welcome enquiries about chronobiological research, experimental physiology, telemetry data analysis and international student internships.

Get in touch

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Comenius University BratislavaFaculty of Natural Sciences
Department of Animal Physiology and Ethology