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
- Circuncisão, AR, Pereira, M, Dias, MC, Oliveira-Pinto, PR, Santos, C, Silva, AMS et al.. Exploiting Laminaria digitata L. Aqueous Extract for Tomato Biostimulation: A Physiological and Metabolomic Approach. Physiol Plant. 2026;178 (1):e70762. doi: 10.1111/ppl.70762. PubMed PMID:41603328 .
- Catunda, MBA, Costa, FDC, Bezerra, VS, Caetano Filho, FF, Ribeiro, RP, Silva, AA et al.. Effects of Resveratrol-Loaded Nanoparticles on Follicular Survival, Stromal Integrity and Activity of Endogenous Free-Radical Scavengers in Bovine Ovarian Cortical Slices Cultured In Vitro. Reprod Domest Anim. 2026;61 (2):e70158. doi: 10.1111/rda.70158. PubMed PMID:41603054 .
- da Silva, AP, Oliveira Silva, G, de Souza, MR. Multilevel determinants of child development in socially vulnerable Brazilian children: a longitudinal study. Front Pediatr. 2025;13 :1675611. doi: 10.3389/fped.2025.1675611. PubMed PMID:41602882 PubMed Central PMC12832241.
- Leal, LRS, de Sena, MGAM, Invenção, MDCV, de Moura, IA, Jesus, ALS, de Sousa, GF et al.. Development and Immunogenicity Assessment of a Multi-Epitope Antigen Against Zika Virus: An In Silico and In Vivo Approach. Vaccines (Basel). 2025;14 (1):. doi: 10.3390/vaccines14010031. PubMed PMID:41600947 .
- Jerónimo, E, Guerreiro, O, Silva, A, Lage, P, Alves, H, Almeida, JM et al.. Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Meat Quality of Lambs Fed a High-Forage, Low-Starch, High-Oil Diet. Foods. 2026;15 (2):. doi: 10.3390/foods15020193. PubMed PMID:41596792 .