Research
Molecular and cellular and systems mechanisms of learning and memory
Appointments
- Distinguished Professor– Neurobiology, Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences and Psychology
- Director–Integrative Center for Learning and Memory
- Tennenbaum Center for the Biology of Creativity
- Brain Research Institute
- Molecular, Cellular & Integrative Physiology GPB Home Area
- Neuroscience GPB Home Area
Biography
The Silva laboratory is studying the biology of learning and memory. They are interested in the molecular, cellular and circuit processes that underlie the allocation, encoding and storage of information. To accomplish this they are using a variety of techniques including sophisticated molecular and genetic approaches, optical physiology, optogenetics, in vivo imaging and behavioral analysis.
Silva and colleagues have also studied the impact of these mechanisms in animal models of cognitive disorders, including intellectual disabilities. Based on these mechanistic studies, they have developed treatments for Neurofibromatosis type I and Tuberous Sclerosis, that are currently being tested in clinical trials.
The Silva laboratory is also developing bioinformatic strategies for tracking and planning experiments (researchmaps.org).
Publications
- Oliveira, LRM, Aquino, LVC, Bezerra, LGP, Oliveira, MF, Silva, AR, Pereira, AF et al.. Effects of fertilization media on in vitro embryonic development in red-rumped agouti using a heterologous system with guinea pig oocytes. JBRA Assist Reprod. 2025; :. doi: 10.5935/1518-0557.20250180. PubMed PMID:41428724 .
- Rocha, MBM, Assis, EIT, Azevedo, VAN, Lima Neto, MF, Silva, AWB, Godinho, AN et al.. Piperine protects ovarian follicles and stromal cells against doxorubicin-induced adverse effects in mouse ovaries. JBRA Assist Reprod. 2025; :. doi: 10.5935/1518-0557.20250187. PubMed PMID:41428714 .
- Moraes-de-Souza, I, Moraes, BPT, Muniz-Santos, R, Gomes-Reis, GLS, Dos Santos, FDS, Saraiva, JSG et al.. A lipid road to neuroimmunology: Fatty acids linking immune and nervous systems. Neuroimmunomodulation. 2025; :1-42. doi: 10.1159/000550168. PubMed PMID:41428589 .
- Costa, RCC, Leite, TA, Gomes, JGS, Silva, FPF, Bezerra, MRL, Barroso, WS et al.. Frutalin as an Affinity Tool for sIgA1: Biophysical and Structural Characterization of the Lectin-Antibody Complex. ACS Omega. 2025;10 (49):60298-60308. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.5c06812. PubMed PMID:41427169 PubMed Central PMC12713436.
- Helito, CP, da Silva, AGM, Guimarães, TM, de Araujo, IF, Marques, IG, Grassi, A et al.. Pediatric Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Anterolateral Ligament Reconstruction With Hybrid Over-the-Top Femoral Fixation, Transphyseal Tibial Fixation, and Tibial All-Epiphyseal Anterolateral Ligament Fixation Using Attached Hamstring Autograft. Arthrosc Tech. 2025;14 (11):103853. doi: 10.1016/j.eats.2025.103853. PubMed PMID:41425342 PubMed Central PMC12712505.