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
- Kulmaganbetov, M, Singh, T, Pushin, D, Chahal, P, Cory, D, Garrad, DV et al.. Eye Dominance and Testing Order Effects in the Circularly-Oriented Macular Pigment Optical Density Measurements. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2026; :. doi: 10.1007/s44402-026-00092-6. PubMed PMID:42053705 .
- de Sousa, AF, Zeidler, ZE, Almeida-Filho, DG, Shen, Y, Luchetti, A, Simanian, S et al.. The prefrontal cortex controls memory organization in the hippocampus. Nat Neurosci. 2026; :. doi: 10.1038/s41593-026-02231-1. PubMed PMID:42049880 .
- de Almeida, KHG, D'Assumpção, TTS, Silva, APG, de Oliveira, CRM, Trevizani, TH, Figueira, RCL et al.. Synergistic Toxicity of Low-Concentration Metal Mixture on Male Rats: Reproductive, Renal, and Hepatic Effects. Environ Toxicol. 2026; :. doi: 10.1002/tox.70117. PubMed PMID:42049638 .
- Campos, CDL, Mendes, AGG, Pereira-Filho, JL, da Silva Sousa Almeida, V, Sousa, ABS, Moreira, IV et al.. Comprehensive Genomic Characterization and Probiotic Properties Evaluation of Limosilactobacillus fermentum JAC 231 Isolated from Vaginal Microbiota. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins. 2026; :. doi: 10.1007/s12602-026-11025-7. PubMed PMID:42047984 .
- Català-Moll, F, Blázquez-Bondia, C, Farré-Badia, J, Torres, F, Manzardo, C, Bonfill, E et al.. Author Correction: Dolutegravir restores gut microbiota in late-stage HIV-1 unlike darunavir: an open-label, randomized clinical trial. Nat Commun. 2026;17 (1):. doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-72458-w. PubMed PMID:42045220 PubMed Central PMC13121591.