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
- Machado Magalhães, PL, Collaco, BG, Guerreiro, MG, da Silva, AMP, Falcão, L, Amaral, DC et al.. Efficacy and Safety of the L-Scar Technique in Breast Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2026; :. doi: 10.1007/s00266-026-05869-1. PubMed PMID:42115413 .
- de Morais, ER, Mendonça Mota, TF, Gonçalves, S, Adami, GT, da Silva, AP, Ghisi, NC et al.. Cadmium Toxicity in Aquatic Organisms: A Scientometric Review (Part 2 - Photosynthetic organisms). Environ Toxicol Chem. 2026; :. doi: 10.1093/etojnl/vgag131. PubMed PMID:42114066 .
- Veloso, NC, Gonçalves, JS, Rocha-Gomes, A, Cândida Ferreira, A, Alves, LT, Rocha, ACS et al.. Sex-Dependent Effects of Maternal Caloric Restriction, but Not Intermittent Fasting, on Offspring Hippocampal Memory and Antioxidant Activity. Dev Psychobiol. 2026;68 (3):e70166. doi: 10.1002/dev.70166. PubMed PMID:42113579 .
- Roger, E, Mummey, HM, Zimmer, E, Srinivasan, D, Härle, A, Moubri, L et al.. ATM Deficiency Induces TGF-β-Mediated Stromal Programming in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancer Res. 2026; :. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-26-0138. PubMed PMID:42113576 .
- Moura, HFS, Sampaio, ICF, Dos Santos, GV, da Silva, APLT, Crugeira, PJL, Costa, WLR et al.. 1,9-Dimethyl-methylene Blue-Based Antimicrobial Photodynamic Inactivation: Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria Models Isolated from Oilfield Wastewater. ACS Omega. 2026;11 (17):25014-25024. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.5c09000. PubMed PMID:42110808 PubMed Central PMC13150645.