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
- Sampaio Júnior, FAU, Alves, OL, Ribeiro, FRB, Quidute, BSQ, Ferreira, RJR, Lira Filho, HT et al.. Alkaptonuria and Cervical Disc Herniation: Case Report. Int J Spine Surg. 2025; :. doi: 10.14444/8825. PubMed PMID:41249062 .
- de Santana, SL, Santos, MAVM, Netto, AM, de Amorim, ÉM, Pereira, MG, da Silva, AA et al.. Transgenerational genotoxic effects of gamma radiation on Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae): Implications for programs with the Sterile Insect Technique. Acta Trop. 2025; :107915. doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107915. PubMed PMID:41248730 .
- Silva, SSE, de Avila, NB, da Silva, AW, da Silva, LRF, Prado, MR, Beppler, MA et al.. Beyond Methane Oxidation: The Protein Landscape of ANME-2a Reveals an Integrated System for Diazotrophy and Membrane Fortification. Environ Microbiol Rep. 2025;17 (6):e70233. doi: 10.1111/1758-2229.70233. PubMed PMID:41247846 .
- Camargo Júnior, RNC, de Araújo, CV, Gomes, MNB, de Freitas, FB, da Silva, WC, de Araújo, SI et al.. Genetic Parameters of Age at Conception in Nellore Females Using Threshold Models. J Anim Breed Genet. 2025; :. doi: 10.1111/jbg.70029. PubMed PMID:41246928 .
- Tippalagama, R, Trevizani, R, Chihab, LY, Chawla, A, Fung, K, Greenbaum, J et al.. Peptide-driven identification of TCRs reveals dynamics and phenotypes of CD4 T cells in tuberculosis. J Immunol. 2025; :. doi: 10.1093/jimmun/vkaf287. PubMed PMID:41241821 .