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
- Gomes, AR, de Matos, LP, Silva, AM, Guimrães, ATB, da Luz, TM, de Brito, RR et al.. Ecotoxicology of Mercerized Cellulose-Treated Tannery Effluents Using Salvinia auriculata (Salviniaceae) as a Bioindicator. Environ Toxicol. 2025; :. doi: 10.1002/tox.24550. PubMed PMID:40536079 .
- Carvalhais França, D, da Silva, AL, Chami, AM, Braga, LDC. Epidemiological profile of breast cancer in a reference center in the north region of Brazil. Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2025;47 :. doi: 10.61622/rbgo/2025rbgo27. PubMed PMID:40535424 PubMed Central PMC12176342.
- Romero, M, Luckett, J, Dubern, JF, Figueredo, GP, Ison, E, Carabelli, AM et al.. Combinatorial discovery of microtopographical landscapes that resist biofilm formation through quorum sensing mediated autolubrication. Nat Commun. 2025;16 (1):5295. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-60567-x. PubMed PMID:40533450 PubMed Central PMC12177056.
- Silva, ACQ, Teixeira, MC, Jesus, A, Costa, PC, Almeida, IF, Dias-Pereira, P et al.. Carboxymethylcellulose-fucoidan dissolvable microneedle patches for minimally invasive melanoma treatment: Demonstration on a 3D bioprinted A375 cell line model. Int J Biol Macromol. 2025; :145320. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.145320. PubMed PMID:40532993 .
- Côrte-Real, F, Nunes, N, Silva, AR, Amaral, N, Rego, AC, Duarte, MA et al.. Salvage endoscopic intermuscular dissection: curative treatment for residual rectal adenocarcinoma after chemoradiotherapy. Endoscopy. 2025;57 (S 01):E604-E605. doi: 10.1055/a-2598-5198. PubMed PMID:40532912 .