Silva, Alcino J., Ph.D.

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

1. Valério, MB, da Silva, ALN, E Souza, PS, Folena, MM, da Silva, EM. Effect of Essential Oil Addition on PLA/PBAT Blend Properties for Biodegradable Packaging Applications. ACS Omega. 2026;11 (13):20320-20333. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.5c10845. PubMed PMID:41970906 PubMed Central PMC13063192.
2. da Silva, AM, Dyna, AL, Rosa, TP, Calegari, GC, Orsato, A, M Barbosa-Dekker, A et al.. Chemically Engineered Sulfates of Lasiodiplodan: Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Antirespiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Activities. ACS Omega. 2026;11 (13):20509-20519. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.5c11984. PubMed PMID:41970897 PubMed Central PMC13063019.
3. Oliveira, IDS, Aparicio-Huacarpuma, BD, de Oliveira Bastos, CM, Sado, MLI, Silva, AMA, Ribeiro Júnior, LA et al.. Excitonic, Optical, and Photovoltaic Properties of the 1T-NiO₂ Monolayer. ACS Omega. 2026;11 (13):20751-20762. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.5c12803. PubMed PMID:41970894 PubMed Central PMC13062993.
4. Oliveira, VC, Magalhães, NL, Maciel, CRO, Silva, AFAS, Bim, LL, Chaves, C et al.. Niobium-Based Conditioning Layer to Reduce Bacterial Adhesion and Biofilm Formation on Titanium Surface. ACS Omega. 2026;11 (13):20782-20794. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.5c12932. PubMed PMID:41970849 PubMed Central PMC13063182.
5. Silva, AL, Barry, S, Hipólito, A, de Griné Severino, M, Joaquim, R, Hall, C et al.. The emerging role of chemokines and chemokine receptors in the biological and clinical behaviour of pituitary neuroendocrine tumours: An exploratory transcriptomic study. J Neuroendocrinol. 2026;38 (4):e70184. doi: 10.1111/jne.70184. PubMed PMID:41967485 .

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