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
- Moghul, I, Pontikos, N, Sharma, A, Liu, T, Soomro, T, Wagner, SK et al.. Integrating genetics, age and imaging to predict treatment outcomes in neovascular age-related macular degeneration: a proof-of-concept study. Sci Rep. 2026; :. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-41931-3. PubMed PMID:41794975 .
- de Luna Paiva, TD, de Melo Lopes, AR, Silva, ÁJC, Figueiredo, MAF, da Cunha Nogueira, SS, Nogueira-Filho, SLG et al.. Assessment of Blood Profiles and Pain in Sport Horses Undergoing Intrarectal Ozone Therapy. Vet Med Sci. 2026;12 (2):e70678. doi: 10.1002/vms3.70678. PubMed PMID:41793261 PubMed Central PMC12966961.
- da Silva, CS, da Silva, TE, Sguizatto, ALL, Machado, AF, Silva, AS, Costa, JHC et al.. Predicting individual dry matter intake in Holstein × Gyr cows using behavior-monitoring sensor, phenotypic, and weather data with supervised machine learning. JDS Commun. 2026;7 (2):179-184. doi: 10.3168/jdsc.2025-0850. PubMed PMID:41788826 PubMed Central PMC12958165.
- Català-Moll, F, Blázquez-Bondia, C, Farré-Badia, J, Torres, F, Manzardo, C, Bonfill, E et al.. Dolutegravir restores gut microbiota in late-stage HIV-1 unlike darunavir: an open-label, randomized clinical trial. Nat Commun. 2026;17 (1):. doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-69846-7. PubMed PMID:41781390 PubMed Central PMC12960958.
- Silva, AB, Melo, HMA, Chagas, BLS, Borba, AKOT, Melo, DAP. Social determinants of health among older homeless people: a scoping review. Cien Saude Colet. 2026;31 (2):e08152024. doi: 10.1590/1413-81232026312.08152024. PubMed PMID:41779575 .