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
- Haber, T, Bennell, K, Hansford, H, McAuley, J, Button, P, Hunt, K et al.. The smallest worthwhile effects of strengthening exercise on pain intensity for people with knee osteoarthritis: a benefit-harm trade-off study. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2025; :. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2025.12.004. PubMed PMID:41389910 .
- Silva Ferraz, JM, Silva, ALR, Romagnoli, L, Ciccioli, A, Freitas, VLS, Ribeiro da Silva, MDMC et al.. On the Vapor Pressures, Phase Transitions, and Solid-State Fluorescence of 2-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole and 2-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)benzothiazole. Chemphyschem. 2025; :e202500570. doi: 10.1002/cphc.202500570. PubMed PMID:41389763 .
- Da Silva, AB, Berry, E, Craig, S, Doumas, M. A Systematic Review of Autistic Adults' Experiences of Anxiety From a Qualitative Perspective. J Autism Dev Disord. 2025; :. doi: 10.1007/s10803-025-07025-1. PubMed PMID:41389169 .
- Lu, T, Chen, X, Sun, B, Dong, X, Yao, N, Chen, Y et al.. In-situ nano-reprecipitation enables superior cryogenic mechanical properties in a 3D printable medium-entropy alloy. Nat Commun. 2025; :. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-67279-2. PubMed PMID:41387446 .
- GBD 2023 Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Violence against Children Collaborators. Disease burden attributable to intimate partner violence against females and sexual violence against children in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023. Lancet. 2025; :. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(25)02503-6. PubMed PMID:41386261 .