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
- Wallau, GDL, Barbier, E, Machado, LC, da Silva, AF, Dias, YJM, Dezordi, FZ et al.. Ambecovirus, a novel Betacoronavirus subgenus circulating in neotropical bats, sheds new light on bat-borne coronaviruses evolution. Virus Evol. 2025;11 (1):veaf094. doi: 10.1093/ve/veaf094. PubMed PMID:41492410 PubMed Central PMC12765449.
- Silva, A, Abrahão, N, Junior, V, Leite, TFO. Minimally invasive radiologic approach to chyle leakage after oncologic cervical surgery: A case report. Radiol Case Rep. 2026;21 (3):1081-1085. doi: 10.1016/j.radcr.2025.11.025. PubMed PMID:41492348 PubMed Central PMC12765380.
- de Carvalho, RVH, Lima-Junior, DS, da Silva, MVG, Dilucca, M, Rodrigues, TS, Horta, CV et al.. Author Correction: Leishmania RNA virus exacerbates Leishmaniasis by subverting innate immunity via TLR3-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition. Nat Commun. 2026;17 (1):105. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-67433-w. PubMed PMID:41491188 .
- Bezerra, TT, Silva, AL, da Silva Aragão, JL, Matias, R, Almeida, NM, Machado, IC et al.. Flowering phenology in species of Chamaecrista (L.) Moench: temporal generation of functionally enantiostylous dimorphic individuals. Plant Biol (Stuttg). 2026; :. doi: 10.1111/plb.70174. PubMed PMID:41490195 .
- Rodrigues, RI, Silva, AJ, Lopes, C. Development and validation of a Satisfaction Questionnaire for Performance Appraisal Evaluation (SQPAE): a measurement instrument. Psicol Reflex Crit. 2026;39 (1):2. doi: 10.1186/s41155-025-00369-8. PubMed PMID:41489771 .