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
- Prabagar, K, Chandrasinghe, PC, Hewavisenthi, SJS, de Silva, AP, Niriella, MA. Solitary Rectal Ulcer Syndrome Revisited: A Comprehensive Narrative Review. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2026;28 (1):. doi: 10.1007/s11894-026-01045-2. PubMed PMID:42149300 .
- Barbosa, MC, Pellegrinetti, TA, da Cunha, ICM, da Silva, AVR, Marcandalli Boleta, EH, Losovoi, LA et al.. Genotype-dependent stability and specialization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities under drought in common bean. Front Plant Sci. 2026;17 :1786322. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2026.1786322. PubMed PMID:42147301 PubMed Central PMC13176285.
- Kumar, K, Liao, Z, Kopal, J, Moreau, C, Ching, C, Modenato, C et al.. Copy number variants reveal divergent genetic and diagnostic cortical signatures across psychiatric disorders. Res Sq. 2026; :. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9246968/v1. PubMed PMID:42147180 PubMed Central PMC13174812.
- Silva, NJB, Oliveira, TP, Oliveira, MCD, Brito, FCM, Silva, JGV, Silva, AA et al.. The Thermo-Optic Effect in Norbixin: Characterization by Z‑Scan and Self-Phase Modulation under CW Laser. ACS Omega. 2026;11 (18):26595-26605. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.5c13066. PubMed PMID:42146222 PubMed Central PMC13177258.
- de Oliveira, TM, Pereira Bento, LD, Santos de Melo Wiermann, I, de Souza Fonseca, B, Tsui, GS, Pereira de Jesus, CJ et al.. Integrative In Silico and In Vivo Evidence of Quercetin as a Multitarget Neuroprotective Agent in Alzheimer's Disease. ACS Omega. 2026;11 (18):27115-27127. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.6c00778. PubMed PMID:42146216 PubMed Central PMC13177005.