Members

Silva, Alcino J., Ph.D.

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

  1. Zavascki, AP, Chebabo, A, Cunha, CA, Silva, AR, Cuba, GT, Santos, DWCL et al.. Guideline for antimicrobial treatment of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections: practice recommendations of the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases. Braz J Infect Dis. 2025;29 (6):104589. doi: 10.1016/j.bjid.2025.104589. PubMed PMID:41130038 .
  2. Ferst, JG, Chaves, MA, Silva, AN, Saldanha, SF, Ferreira, R, Nociti, RP et al.. Uterine Extracellular Vesicles Can Emulate the Long-Term Effects of Post-Partum Negative Energy Balance in Dairy Cows. Mol Reprod Dev. 2025;92 (10):e70062. doi: 10.1002/mrd.70062. PubMed PMID:41128104 .
  3. Silva, AR, Keevil, CW, Pereira, A. Legionella affects biofilm structural response to detachment upon shear stress increase. Biofilm. 2025;10 :100323. doi: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2025.100323. PubMed PMID:41127792 PubMed Central PMC12538127.
  4. Crudup, BF, Mallette, JH, Nabors, HS, Willis, AT, Cockrell, KL, Shields, CA et al.. Feminizing Hormone Therapy in the Male Spontaneous Hypertensive Rat Impairs Accuracy of Estimated Renal Filtration. J Endocr Soc. 2025;9 (11):bvaf153. doi: 10.1210/jendso/bvaf153. PubMed PMID:41127067 PubMed Central PMC12538208.
  5. Silva, AJD, Silva, PRD, Pires, HFO, Dias, AL, Felipe, CFB, Mendonça-Junior, FJB et al.. Orofacial antinociceptive effect of a novel 2-amino-thiophene derivative and its possible targets of action. Braz Oral Res. 2025;39 :e099. doi: 10.1590/1807-3107bor-2025.vol39.099. PubMed PMID:41124517 .
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