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
- Madureira, BIE, Da Silva, AB, Elameer, M, Fry, CA, Gebbels, A, Cassidy, A et al.. Somatosensory and motor cortical evoked potentials in the diagnosis and management of scan-negative myelopathy. Neurol Sci. 2026;47 (3):260. doi: 10.1007/s10072-026-08839-2. PubMed PMID:41688777 .
- de Andrade Marques, L, Silva, ATF, Ferreira, ICC, Santos, LLD, Pereira, JCP, Santos, DW et al.. Comparative spectral analysis of blood and saliva in breast cancer, benign breast disease and healthy controls using ATR-FTIR. Sci Rep. 2026; :. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-39097-z. PubMed PMID:41688513 .
- Li, J, Zhuang, Y, Han, H, Zhu, Y, Lin, C, Wang, R et al.. Nano-in-Micro GelMA depots assist electro-thermal-immuno orchestral treatment for solid triple negative breast tumor. Mater Today Bio. 2026;37 :102848. doi: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.102848. PubMed PMID:41685365 PubMed Central PMC12890829.
- Guiomar, R, Henriques, C, Pereira da Silva, S, Gomes, L, Dias, D, Verdasca, N et al.. Cross-sectional study on protective antibodies against influenza A virus subtypes and cross-protection against influenza A(H3N2) subclade K, Portugal, August 2025. Euro Surveill. 2026;31 (6):. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2026.31.6.2600070. PubMed PMID:41684322 .
- Carvalho, AA, Gurgel, ALC, Filho, MAM, Araújo, MJ, Dias-Silva, TP, Sousa, SV et al.. Morphogenesis, Structure, and Chemical Composition of Paiaguás Grass Under Different Nitrogen Doses and Deferment Periods. Plants (Basel). 2026;15 (3):. doi: 10.3390/plants15030341. PubMed PMID:41681506 .