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
- Hively, A, La Manna, A, Clark, E, Luke, D, de Silva, A, Agarwal, M et al.. Leveraging the Translational Science Benefits Model to plan and measure early impact in the heart failure polypill implementation trial in Sri Lanka. J Clin Transl Sci. 2026;10 (1):e43. doi: 10.1017/cts.2026.10699. PubMed PMID:41816626 PubMed Central PMC12972585.
- Chagas, LAD, Silva, LGR, de Sousa, RML, da Silva, AVADC, Barros, RAJPA, Barroso, FA et al.. Pre-pregnancy body mass index classification and weight gain according to new brazilian protocols and their association with gestational diabetes mellitus. Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2026;48 :. doi: 10.61622/rbgo/2026rbgo102. PubMed PMID:41815930 PubMed Central PMC12975108.
- da Silva, AL, Damasio, LCVDC, Budib, MA, Steiner, ML, Nomura, RMY, Trapani, A et al.. From invisibility to care: A FEBRASGO call to action on violence against women. Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2026;48 :. doi: 10.61622/rbgo/2026rbgoedt1. PubMed PMID:41815927 PubMed Central PMC12975107.
- da Silva, AT. Bridging histopathology, inferred transcriptomics, and immunotherapy response prediction in head and neck cancer. Transl Cancer Res. 2026;15 (2):71. doi: 10.21037/tcr-2025-1-2798. PubMed PMID:41815143 PubMed Central PMC12971557.
- Oliveira, JN, Moreira, M, Ferreira, ML, Teixeira, S, Santalha, M, Simão, TS et al.. Regional patterns of molecular sensitization to dust mites and pollens in a Portuguese pediatric population: a multicentric study. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). 2026;54 (2):109-116. doi: 10.15586/aei.v54i2.1582. PubMed PMID:41814612 .