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
- Calil, TAC, Vieira, BS, Sommerfeld, S, Nossol, ABDS, Silva, TDC, Santos, DQ et al.. Yolk metabolomics reveals candidate compounds associated with egg specific density and hatchability in white layer breeder hens. Poult Sci. 2026;105 (10):107356. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2026.107356. PubMed PMID:42435608 .
- Silva, A, Baltazar, F, Afonso, J. Metabolic Reprogramming in the Bladder Cancer Microenvironment: Bridging Fundamental Research and Therapeutic Avenues for Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2026;1501 :145-164. doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-12166-0_5. PubMed PMID:42435169 .
- Silva, AL, da Silva Freitas, BB, Oliveira, PHS, de Oliveira-Nascimento, F, Bastos, FF, Lacerda-Abreu, MA et al.. Inorganic phosphate beyond a mineral: Signal transduction in multi-organ pathology. Cell Signal. 2026; :112736. doi: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2026.112736. PubMed PMID:42431495 .
- Coltro, DB, de Oliveira Mateus, J, de Oliveira Ferreira, I, Goettert, MI, Costella, AP, da Silva, GL et al.. Pregnant Women With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and High Consumption of Tryptophan-Rich Foods Show Increased Levels of 6-Sulfatoxymelatonin in Urine. J Pregnancy. 2026;2026 (1):e4762066. doi: 10.1155/jp/4762066. PubMed PMID:42427282 PubMed Central PMC13351932.
- da Silva, AG, Brandão, AL, Gama, SP, Lellis-Santos, C, de Moraes Malinverni, AC. Development and evaluation of a digital simulation tool for teaching gynecological cytology: a pilot study with nursing students. BMC Med Educ. 2026; :. doi: 10.1186/s12909-026-09883-4. PubMed PMID:42426770 .