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
- Ataie, Z, Alharbi, NRM, Silva, ARAE, Castro, A, Jaberi, A, Kedzierski, A et al.. Orthogonally crosslinked gelatin methacryloyl microgels for in situ assembly of granular hydrogel scaffolds. Bioeng Transl Med. 2026;11 (3):e70127. doi: 10.1002/btm2.70127. PubMed PMID:42272954 PubMed Central PMC13247424.
- Santos, AR, Bento, F, Faria, B, Paiva, MC, Silva, AF, Viana, AS et al.. Pyrene Derivative-Based Electrode for Electrochemical Sensing. Small Methods. 2026; :e70773. doi: 10.1002/smtd.70773. PubMed PMID:42272296 .
- Silva, DAE, de Lima, CLS, Lima, GVS, Silva, AMM, da Silva, NC, Rogez, HLG et al.. Phenotypic, physicochemical, sensory, and functional attributes of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) from Brazilian Amazonian floodplain and upland ecosystems. J Sci Food Agric. 2026; :. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.70793. PubMed PMID:42272066 .
- Patel, D, Kramer, HJ, Silva, A, Qeadan, F, Markossian, TW. Healthcare expenditures associated with cardiovascular, chronic kidney, and diabetic conditions, 2021-2023. BMC Nephrol. 2026; :. doi: 10.1186/s12882-026-05086-7. PubMed PMID:42271297 .
- Londono-Mendez, MC, Lasso-Ramirez, S, Fitzsimmons, C, Plastow, G, Bork, EW, Basarab, J et al.. Seasonal metabolic and growth responses of grazing beef heifers divergent in residual feed intake. PLoS One. 2026;21 (6):e0348184. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0348184. PubMed PMID:42268924 .