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
- Facchinetti, F, Hollebecque, A, Barbé, R, Jang, DM, Alonso-De-Castro, B, Brayé, F et al.. Recurrent resistance mutations to lirafugratinib inform treatment sequencing in FGFR2-driven tumors. Clin Cancer Res. 2026; :. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-25-4390. PubMed PMID:41632446 .
- Silva, A, Orgaz Fuertes, A. Manarat: A scalable QICK-based control system for superconducting quantum processors supporting synchronized control of 10 flux-tunable qubits. Rev Sci Instrum. 2026;97 (2):. doi: 10.1063/5.0301360. PubMed PMID:41631928 .
- de Moura, MJN, de Felix, RGS, da Silva, AGG, Angelo, ABS, Dos Santos, CCA, Pereira, AKH et al.. Subchronic Exposure to Aripiprazole Subtly Impacts on Rodents' Sperm Quality and Fertility. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2026;138 (3):e70200. doi: 10.1111/bcpt.70200. PubMed PMID:41631545 .
- Gonçalves, LC, Roberto, MM, da Silva, AFC, Marin-Morales, MA. Untreated Hair Dye Effluents Enter the Environment: Are They a Threat to Human Health?. Environ Toxicol. 2026; :. doi: 10.1002/tox.70034. PubMed PMID:41630464 .
- Shishido, PK, Stopa, LRDS, Guergolette, RP, Wunderlich, ALM, Aguiar, DD, França de Oliveira, LL et al.. Paternal obesity by lactation overnutrition induces sex-related metabolic and reproductive changes in their offspring. J Dev Orig Health Dis. 2026;17 :e10. doi: 10.1017/S2040174426100440. PubMed PMID:41630394 .