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
- Colmán, AA, Araújo, JPM, Evans, HC, Correa Mansur, PS, Salcedo-Sarmiento, S, Silva, AL et al.. Hidden diversity behind the Lecanicillium-like white colony-forming mycoparasites on Hemileia vastatrix (coffee leaf rust). Persoonia. 2025;55 :239-275. doi: 10.3114/persoonia.2025.55.07. PubMed PMID:41536594 PubMed Central PMC12798845.
- Roberts, B, da Silva, AC, Sloan, T, Penfold, CN, Williams, P, Diggle, SP et al.. Clinical isolates from chronic wounds reveal strain-specific, alkyl-quinolone-independent competition in Pseudomonas aeruginosa-Staphylococcus aureus biofilms. J Med Microbiol. 2026;75 (1):. doi: 10.1099/jmm.0.002118. PubMed PMID:41533460 .
- Rocha-Gomes, A, Gonçalves, JS, Veloso, NC, Ferreira, AC, Alves, LT, Rocha, ACS et al.. Caloric Restriction or Intermittent Fasting During Lactation Have Different Impacts on Anxiety-Like Behaviours and Amygdala Redox Status of Adolescent Male and Female Wistar Rats. Eur J Neurosci. 2026;63 (1):e70391. doi: 10.1111/ejn.70391. PubMed PMID:41532373 .
- da Silva, AR, Cunha, RF, Chahud, F, Cruz, AAVE. Upper Eyelid Retraction: An Atypical Sign of Orbital Conjunctival Inclusion Cyst. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2026; :. doi: 10.1097/IOP.0000000000003180. PubMed PMID:41528954 .
- da Silva, AR, Melo, CSST, Lopes, GPF, Nogueira, CS. Morphological Adaptations for Shell Anchoring in Calcinus tibicen: Insights From µCT Imaging, Histology and Scanning Electron Microscopy. J Morphol. 2026;287 (1):e70112. doi: 10.1002/jmor.70112. PubMed PMID:41528149 PubMed Central PMC12798274.