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
- de Oliveira, GP, Soares, FAL, Sousa Almeida, AC, de Souza, KAG, Costa Gontijo, PD, da Silva, AR et al.. Entomopathogenic fungi disrupt the feeding behavior of Euschistus heros in soybean. Sci Rep. 2025; :. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-31096-w. PubMed PMID:41408093 .
- da Silva, AKJPF, Marques, EKLB, de Lima, LMA, Alves, WAS, Gomes, DA, Guzzo, PL et al.. Evaluation of the Therapeutic Potential of Bioactive Materials Based on a Complex of Oxidovanadium(IV) and Exopolysaccharide Levan in a Model of Insulin Resistance in Mice. ChemMedChem. 2025; :e202500754. doi: 10.1002/cmdc.202500754. PubMed PMID:41407512 .
- Silva, AR, Santos, JR. Feasibility of low-pressure chromatographic flow injection systems. Experimental concerns and analytical applications. Talanta. 2025;300 :129214. doi: 10.1016/j.talanta.2025.129214. PubMed PMID:41406691 .
- Souza, I, Pennafirme, S, Bittencourt, JAP, Santos, N, Silva, TSH, Silva, AX et al.. Radiological and non-radiological analysis of marine sediment near a nuclear power plant. Mar Pollut Bull. 2025;224 :119112. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.119112. PubMed PMID:41406513 .
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Silva, A, Carpena, M, Barroso, MF, Prieto, MA. Algal-derived functional additives for ensured safety and efficacy. EFSA J. 2025;23 (Suppl 1):e231118. doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2025.e231118. PubMed PMID:41404312 PubMed Central PMC12704020.