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
- Dirnberger, AS, Aguirre-Rodriguez, EY, Aguirre-Rodriguez, EC, Degraft Hanson, JO, Sun, Y, Delima, D et al.. The metabolic advantage of being young and male in obesity treatment outcomes in mice. NPJ Metab Health Dis. 2025;3 (1):32. doi: 10.1038/s44324-025-00065-2. PubMed PMID:40751023 .
- Leite, JMSP, Silva, ACQ, Jesus, A, da Cruz, BC, Vieira, SI, Dias-Pereira, P et al.. Single Polysaccharide Dissolvable Microneedles for Painless Local Anesthesia: Fabrication, Characterization, and In Vitro Neuronal Imaging. ACS Biomater Sci Eng. 2025; :. doi: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.5c00968. PubMed PMID:40748288 .
- Lomahan, S, Silva, A, Bishop-Royse, J, Thomas, P, Martin, MA. Beliefs related to COVID-19 vaccine receipt in the Chicago area. Discov Public Health. 2025;22 (1):445. doi: 10.1186/s12982-025-00789-y. PubMed PMID:40747117 PubMed Central PMC12307479.
- Batista, DVV, Jatobá, A, da Silva, AV, de Souza, AP, Farias, CFS, Lopes, EM et al.. Therapeutic Efficacy of Monoterpenes in Nile Tilapia Infected With Edwardsiella tarda: A Phytogenic Alternative to Oxytetracycline. J Fish Dis. 2025; :e70032. doi: 10.1111/jfd.70032. PubMed PMID:40745986 .
- Rubin Neto, LJ, da Silva, AMV, Santos de Lima, K, Righi, NC, Gelain, L, Michelon Bellé, J et al.. Effects of therapeutic ultrasound on endothelial function: systematic review and meta-analysis. Physiother Theory Pract. 2025; :1-10. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2025.2532574. PubMed PMID:40745908 .