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
- Van Assche, K, Mulder, J, Ahn, C, Allen, RDM, Bollen, J, Bramstedt, KA et al.. Ethical Implementation of Organ Donation Following Medical Assistance in Dying: Recommendations of the Ethics Committee of the Transplantation Society. Transplantation. 2026; :. doi: 10.1097/TP.0000000000005812. PubMed PMID:42418265 .
- Dourado, TMH, Pimenta, GF, Marchetti, BM, Silva, AO, Tirapelli, CR. Mineralocorticoid receptors are implicated in the initial steps of the cardiorenal damage induced by ethanol. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2026;13 :1855068. doi: 10.3389/fcvm.2026.1855068. PubMed PMID:42415985 PubMed Central PMC13337428.
- Ramos-Silva, A, de Oliveira, LST, da Costa, MDS, Daudt-Lemos, M, Nagem Lopes, LP, Lima, EC et al.. Decline in Calmette-Guérin Bacillus Vaccination Coverage and Change in the Spatiotemporal Pattern of Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis in Children and Adolescents in Brazil: An Ecological Study, 2004-2023. Trop Med Int Health. 2026; :. doi: 10.1111/tmi.70198. PubMed PMID:42415597 .
- Dias, JD, Karničnik, B, Nagar, DN, D'Silva, AJF, Trček, J, Braganca, JM et al.. Genomic characterisation of cellulose-producing Komagataeibacter strains KKR and KKO isolated from kombucha. Sci Rep. 2026; :. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-59660-y. PubMed PMID:42414368 .
- Miranda, TGR, Baldini, PHO, Silva, AC, Rebelo, LS, Oliveira, AJS, Ladislau, PT et al.. Density gradient centrifugation preserves sperm kinetics and morphology in stallion ejaculates with severe urospermia. J Equine Vet Sci. 2026; :106080. doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106080. PubMed PMID:42413837 .