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
- Molinari, PA, Galimberti, GP, da Silva, ACG, de Avila Teixeira, F, Grasseli Engel, JP, Oliveira Tietz, PH et al.. Developing lifesaving skills in children: a simulation-based randomized controlled trial in schools. Resusc Plus. 2025;26 :101142. doi: 10.1016/j.resplu.2025.101142. PubMed PMID:41283154 PubMed Central PMC12639452.
- Jung, E, Bampi, JVB, da Silva, AM, Liu, YE, Tsuha, DH, Salindri, AD et al.. Longitudinal symptom transitions predict incident tuberculosis risk among persons deprived of liberty in Brazil. medRxiv. 2025; :. doi: 10.1101/2025.10.26.25338759. PubMed PMID:41282748 PubMed Central PMC12636690.
- John, O, Wickham, A, Jung, LB, Mirmajlesi, AS, Stearns, J, Breedlove, K et al.. Shape analysis of the amygdala, hippocampus and thalamus in former American football players. Brain Commun. 2025;7 (6):fcaf440. doi: 10.1093/braincomms/fcaf440. PubMed PMID:41277896 PubMed Central PMC12631119.
- Cimino, MM, Bass, GA, Kurihara, H, Bellio, G, Porta, M, Cayre, L et al.. Management and outcome variability in hernia-related small bowel obstruction: insights from the SnapSBO study. BJS Open. 2025;9 (6):. doi: 10.1093/bjsopen/zraf127. PubMed PMID:41277270 PubMed Central PMC12641118.
- Lima-Batista, EM, Gómez-Mendoza, DP, Moysés, MN, de Sousa Gomes, K, Carvalho, BC, de Lima, ME et al.. Lunatin-1: A peptide derived from the venom of the Hadruroides lunatus scorpion modulates signaling pathways in HL60 tumor cells to induce cytotoxic effects. J Proteomics. 2025; :105571. doi: 10.1016/j.jprot.2025.105571. PubMed PMID:41276073 .