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
- Gandhi, MM, Moser, C, Currier, JS, Ritz, J, Eron, JJ, Daar, ES et al.. Association of long COVID with health-related quality-of-life outcomes. Sci Rep. 2026; :. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-36189-8. PubMed PMID:41857005 .
- Marcadenti, A, Bersch-Ferreira, AC, Vieira Machado, RH, Nakagawa Santos, RH, de Abreu-Silva, EO, da Silva, A et al.. Supplementation with mixed nuts does not improve inflammatory biomarkers or dietary inflammatory potential in post-myocardial infarction: a secondary analysis of the DICA-NUTS trial. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2026; :104625. doi: 10.1016/j.numecd.2026.104625. PubMed PMID:41856832 .
- Olaniszyn, G, Kużdżał, A, Clemente, FM, Silva, AF, Trybulski, R. Dry needling frequency and its effect on pain and disability in acute cervical myofascial pain: a multicenter study. Ann Phys Rehabil Med. 2026;69 (5):102112. doi: 10.1016/j.rehab.2026.102112. PubMed PMID:41855589 .
- Ma, Z, Rady, EW, de Silva, AJ, Bellizzi, JJ 3rd. The X-Ray Crystal Structure of BorF, the Flavin Reductase Subunit of a Two-Component Flavin-Dependent Tryptophan Halogenase. Proteins. 2026; :. doi: 10.1002/prot.70131. PubMed PMID:41851600 .
- Janas, K, Chatelain, M, Corsini, M, Da Silva, A, Wardecki, Ł, Szulc, J et al.. Replicated urban mosaics reveal trait- and species-specific shifts in carotenoid and structural plumage colouration of two passerines. Sci Rep. 2026; :. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-44382-y. PubMed PMID:41851207 .