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
- Correia, M, Silva, A, Rodríguez-Echeverría, S. Warming Leads to Biomass Increase, Leaf Nitrogen Decline, and Community Turnover in Mediterranean Nardus stricta Grasslands. Ecol Evol. 2026;16 :e73537. doi: 10.1002/ece3.73537. PubMed PMID:42028424 PubMed Central PMC13100972.
- Souza, APDS, Lopes de Souza, S, Dos Santos, MERA, da Silva, ABJ, da Silva, KG, da Silva, RF et al.. Non-immersive virtual reality games, sleep, and sedentary behavior in children. Front Sports Act Living. 2026;8 :1775637. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1775637. PubMed PMID:42022919 PubMed Central PMC13095726.
- Jesus, F, Francisco, R, Bernardino, AV, Nunes, CL, Dickinson, SL, Rocha, P et al.. Changes in Water Turnover and Its Components Over One Athletic Season: An Observational Study Among Athletes From Different Sports. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2026; :1-15. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.2025-0120. PubMed PMID:42019936 .
- Sant'ana, AB, Tomich, T, Rotta, PP, Carvalho, D, Silva, LHR, Vieira, JVF et al.. Dietary tannins and compounds from fermentation of saccharomyces cerevisiae effects on intake, productive performance, enteric methane emission, and rumen microbial diversity of lactating dairy cows. J Dairy Sci. 2026; :. doi: 10.3168/jds.2025-27817. PubMed PMID:42019623 .
- Zoz, K, Cavalini, WM, Bragatto, JM, Pinto, RCC, Silva, AF, Verissimo, AF et al.. Performance of dairy heifers fed whole-plant corn silage treated with benzohydrazide. J Dairy Sci. 2026; :. doi: 10.3168/jds.2025-28221. PubMed PMID:42019616 .