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
- Lacerda, D, Dos Santos Vergilio, C, Pasco, ATP, Silva, KMG, da Silva, AMA, de Assis Pinheiro, J et al.. Biomonitoring of mercury in farming communities of Brazil. Sci Total Environ. 2026; :181264. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.181264. PubMed PMID:41545239 .
- Chacón, RD, Astolfi-Ferreira, CS, Hagemann, HL, Suárez-Agüero, D, da Silva, AL, Rocha, PC et al.. Comprehensive Surveillance of Fowl Adenovirus in the Americas Reveals the Circulation of Multiple Serotypes and Evidence of Recombination. Vet J. 2026; :106563. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2026.106563. PubMed PMID:41544884 .
- Canuto, IMB, Bonfim, CVD, Silva, APSC. Spatial scanning for the identification of risk areas for fetal death: an ecological study in Pernambuco. Rev Esc Enferm USP. 2026;59 :e20250248. doi: 10.1590/1980-220X-REEUSP-2025-0248en. PubMed PMID:41543294 PubMed Central PMC12810357.
- Carneiro, LM, Lopes, JM, Silva, AXD, Jesus, TB, Hadlich, GM. Geochronological variations of PAHs in sediments from a preserved tropical estuary, Northeast Brazil. Mar Pollut Bull. 2026;225 :119292. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2026.119292. PubMed PMID:41539226 .
- da Silva, AMP, Meldola, PF, de Castro, WCN, Ferreira, HL, de Matos, UMA, Menezes, IR et al.. Authors' response to the comment on "upper and lower limb cryotherapy as a preventive strategy for taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy in breast cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis". Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2026; :1-2. doi: 10.1080/14737140.2025.2607883. PubMed PMID:41537682 .