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
- Hammami, MB, Canevarolo, RR, Silva, AS, Alsina, M, Kumar, N, Baz, R et al.. Navigating the evolving management of smoldering multiple myeloma. Hemasphere. 2026;10 (1):e70275. doi: 10.1002/hem3.70275. PubMed PMID:41523082 PubMed Central PMC12784114.
- Vila-Concejo, A, Perris, LA, da Silva, AP, Whitton, K, Meoded-Stern, L, Steilberg-Liu, WY et al.. Grooves in forereefs act as transport channels to deliver coral rubble during tropical cyclones. Camb Prism Coast Futur. 2025;3 :e29. doi: 10.1017/cft.2025.10019. PubMed PMID:41522367 PubMed Central PMC12780813.
- Antonio, GCF, Macêdo, APA, Antunes, GC, de Lima, RD, da Silva Rios, T, de Souza Pitoli, B et al.. Integration of 12-h time-restricted feeding with exercise training potentiates weight loss and attenuates MASLD in diet-induced obese mice. Sci Rep. 2026; :. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-33139-8. PubMed PMID:41519991 .
- Poyser, G, Cheok, T, Toh, Y, Vermeir, JF, Donnelly, WJ, Silva, AM et al.. Reduced Lengths of Hospital Stay But No Difference in Survivorship Following Robotic Arm-Assisted Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty at 3.5 Years Follow-Up: A Propensity Score-Matched Prospective Cohort Study. J Arthroplasty. 2026; :. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2026.01.025. PubMed PMID:41519489 .
- NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Global Surgery and the GlobalSurg Collaborative. Safety and equity in scaling minimally invasive surgery worldwide in 109 countries using cholecystectomy as a tracer procedure: a prospective cohort study. Lancet Glob Health. 2026;14 (2):e199-e212. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(25)00476-0. PubMed PMID:41519150 .