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
- Pita, CJC, da Silva Filho, VF, da Silva, AG, da Cunha Pereira, RF, da Motta, TP, Leonan-Silva, B et al.. Influence of organic and inorganic particles on the properties of composite resins: a scoping review. BMC Oral Health. 2026; :. doi: 10.1186/s12903-026-08571-5. PubMed PMID:42477661 .
- Fasheun, DO, Dos Santos Silva, G, de Oliveira Faber, M, da Silva, AS, Guimarães Freire, DM, Ferreira-Leitão, VS et al.. Biological carbon dioxide upgrading in waste matrices: gas-liquid configuration and operational control in sequential-batch biomethanation. Bioresour Technol. 2026; :135322. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2026.135322. PubMed PMID:42476381 .
- Silva, ACD, de Almeida, AA, Valentim, JK, Duarte Moraleco, D, Rocha Valfré, L, Amaral, PIS et al.. Behavioral, Physiological, And Productive Responses Of European Quails (Coturnix coturnix) To Different Environmental Enrichment Strategies. J Appl Anim Welf Sci. 2026; :1-13. doi: 10.1080/10888705.2026.2698614. PubMed PMID:42474073 .
- Silva Júnior, JAD, Silva, AB, Lopes, MVO, Dos Santos, ÍK, Almeida, DRQ, Andrade, CM et al.. Theoretical-Causal Validation of Risk Factors for the Nursing Diagnosis of Decreased Cardiac Output: A Systematic Review of the Literature with Meta-Analysis. Int J Nurs Knowl. 2026; :20473087261460960. doi: 10.1177/20473087261460960. PubMed PMID:42473915 .
- Barros, SC, Cazón, P, Teixeira, JD, Mateus, AR, Vitelli, M, Nicolini, N et al.. Analysis of pesticide residues in pears using the same phytosanitary treatments and grown under the same edaphoclimatic conditions. J Sci Food Agric. 2026; :. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.70863. PubMed PMID:42473700 .