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
- Li, P, Wang, X, Zhou, J, Yao, Y, Wang, Y, Xu, G et al.. Primary human intestinal organoids model enteric infection of monkeypox virus and enable scalable drug discovery. Sci Adv. 2026;12 (13):eaea8280. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aea8280. PubMed PMID:41894500 .
- Martinelli, LP, Mezzacappo, NF, Silva, AP, Menezes, P, Bagnato, VS. Infrared Photobiomodulation Modulates PpIX Production After Topical Methyl Aminolevulinate in Normal Human Skin: An Exploratory Study. J Biophotonics. 2026;19 (3):e70262. doi: 10.1002/jbio.70262. PubMed PMID:41891138 .
- da Silva, ANL, Dos Santos, LM, de Camargo, MC, Souza, AS, Santos, SDOS, Rocha, PK et al.. Use of bundle for prevention of infiltration in peripheral intravenous catheters in hospitalized children: A scoping review. J Infect Prev. 2026;27 (2):89-98. doi: 10.1177/17571774261422612. PubMed PMID:41884752 PubMed Central PMC13009973.
- Acheampong, S, da Silva, AM, Gechev, A, Trebuchon, A, Antal, A, Kamondi, A et al.. Educational and training needs in clinical neurophysiology among professionals in African countries: results of a survey. Clin Neurophysiol Pract. 2026;11 :195-196. doi: 10.1016/j.cnp.2026.03.002. PubMed PMID:41884149 PubMed Central PMC13010515.
- Ometto, AC, Marcelino, GB, Pereira, GCN, Rodrigues, FFP, Eid, RAC, da Silva, AA et al.. Physiotherapy approaches for pain control in patients who are critically ill. World J Crit Care Med. 2026;15 (1):108062. doi: 10.5492/wjccm.v15.i1.108062. PubMed PMID:41883775 PubMed Central PMC13010795.