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
- Shi, Y, Silva, A, Debuy, C, Ghosh, S, McConkey, H, Schot, R et al.. Delineating the clinical and molecular spectrum of the neurodevelopmental disorder associated with SET. Genet Med. 2026; :102637. doi: 10.1016/j.gim.2026.102637. PubMed PMID:42322191 .
- Almeida, RLJ, Santos, NC, de Souza Ferreira, IL, da Silva, AM, Muniz, CES, de Sousa, ABB et al.. Mechanisms of starch structural reorganization induced by freeze-thaw techniques under mild osmotic stress. Int J Biol Macromol. 2026; :153115. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.153115. PubMed PMID:42320819 .
- Gomes, E, Silva, AR, Figueiredo, RJ, Rosca, AS, Cools, P, Mira, NP et al.. In Vitro Evaluation of Candidate Probiotic Bacteria Against Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) Isolated from Post-Weaning Diarrhea in Piglets. Microb Pathog. 2026; :108646. doi: 10.1016/j.micpath.2026.108646. PubMed PMID:42320605 .
- Gaspar, PC, Miranda, AE, Lannoy, LH, Pascon, ARP, Domingues, CSB, Diniz, ÍVA et al.. From Policy to Practice: Brazil's Pathway to Eliminating Vertical Transmission of HIV as a Public Health Milestone. J Int AIDS Soc. 2026;29 Suppl 1 :e70123. doi: 10.1002/jia2.70123. PubMed PMID:42319248 .
- Trybulski, R, Kużdżał, A, Olaniszyn, G, Silva, AF, Clemente, FM, Hsing-Kuo, W et al.. Acute Impact of Cold Compression Therapy Across Diverse Age Groups and Physical Conditioning Status: A Randomized Crossover Study. J Sports Sci Med. 2026;25 (2):350-370. doi: 10.52082/jssm.2026.350. PubMed PMID:42318261 PubMed Central PMC13274438.