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
- da Silva, AC, Paula, DP, Andow, D, Sujii, PS, Camargo, NF, Togni, PHB et al.. Life-stage niche partitioning and functional strategies promote predatory coccinellids' co-occurrence. Oecologia. 2026;208 (2):26. doi: 10.1007/s00442-026-05866-w. PubMed PMID:41617836 .
- Câmara, EJN, do Prado Valladares, FR, Santana, MRO, da Cunha Gomes, A, Carvalho, LS, de Souza Silva Buruaem, S et al.. High reclassification rate of height-indexed left atrial volume in obese and overweight patients with cardiac pathologies in daily clinical practice. Sci Rep. 2026; :. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-37809-z. PubMed PMID:41617765 .
- Oltramari, AR, Da Silva, AS, Cabrera, MM, Nardi, GM, Mena Barreto Silva, FR, Leite, GAA et al.. Rosuvastatin exposure during adulthood increases ovarian follicular atresia and reduces reproductive performance in female mice. Toxicol Lett. 2026; :111845. doi: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2026.111845. PubMed PMID:41617063 .
- do Valle, DSGM, Teotônio, MA, Secundino, JMG, da Silva, TC, Benvenuto, EADS, Albuquerque, AA et al.. Greywater use in anaerobic digestion of cattle manure: Advancing biogas yield, energy efficiency, and digestate valorization for environmental sustainability in semi-arid regions. Sci Total Environ. 2026;1016 :181439. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2026.181439. PubMed PMID:41616696 .
- Rosa, GB, Francisco, R, Silva, AM, Lukaski, HC, Sardinha, LB. Changes in raw bioelectrical impedance parameters as markers of body composition in youth: A prospective cohort investigation. Nutrition. 2026;145 :113089. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2025.113089. PubMed PMID:41616610 .