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
- Churchman, M, Lu, X, McKean, D, Radmacher, M, Zhang, Q, Rounbehler, R et al.. The Oncology Research Information Exchange Network (ORIEN) - Building a real-world collaborative, patient-driven infrastructure for discovery research and precision oncology. Res Sq. 2026; :. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7077810/v1. PubMed PMID:42281974 PubMed Central PMC13252564.
- de Abreu, IF, Rosário, J, Maciel, VB, Geris, R, da Silva, AF, Ramalho, JGS et al.. Exploiting the Luminous Properties of Blue-Emitting Silicon Nanoparticles (Si-NPs) Derived from Raw Diatomite in Fungal Biosystems. Biomater Biosyst. 2026;22 :100141. doi: 10.1016/j.bbiosy.2026.100141. PubMed PMID:42281758 PubMed Central PMC13251634.
- Mezaache, R, Laraoui, H, Bertella, A, Bastos, V, Oliveira, H, Pale, P et al.. Exploring the Chemical Profile and Biological Activities of Eryngium dichotomum: UHPLC-MS/NMR Characterization, and In Vitro Antioxidant Activity Along with the Antitumor Effect of Falcarinol. Molecules. 2026;31 (11):. doi: 10.3390/molecules31111959. PubMed PMID:42280261 .
- Moreira Pires, M, Guerra de Melo, I, Silva, ACL, Rocha Dias, V, Silva, C, Silva, MP et al.. Genetic Variability in the IGF-1 Axis Modulates Cancer-Associated Cachexia and Prognosis. Cancers (Basel). 2026;18 (11):. doi: 10.3390/cancers18111822. PubMed PMID:42279404 .
- São Pedro, RB, Novaes, SD, Barreto, TMM, Silva, AS, Nogueira, AL, Bellinat, APN et al.. Screening of autoinflammatory genes in patients with SARS-CoV-2-associated MIS-C. Hum Genomics. 2026; :. doi: 10.1186/s40246-026-00985-0. PubMed PMID:42277935 .