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
- Arous, F, Silva, AT, Benstoem, F, Moeller, J, Ennouri, H, Jaouani, A et al.. Pilot-scale constructed wetlands for urban runoff discharging to Sebkha Sijoumi (Tunis, Tunisia): Performance, environmental impact, and cost under field conditions. Bioresour Technol. 2026; :134289. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2026.134289. PubMed PMID:41759979 .
- Silva, AMP, de Deus, O, Lee Han, M, Virgilio Ribeiro, F, Falcão, L, de Bastos Maximiano, ML et al.. Reply to the Letter Regarding: "Intravenous Tirofiban for Preventing Acute In-Stent Thrombosis in Emergent Carotid Artery Stenting". Clin Neuroradiol. 2026; :. doi: 10.1007/s00062-026-01633-9. PubMed PMID:41758217 .
- da Silva, AL, Lima, DB, Brancaglion, GA, Furtado, GE, Corona, LP, de Brito, TRP et al.. Glycated hemoglobin and dynapenia in community- dwelling older people with and without diabetes: A cross-sectional study. J Diabetes Metab Disord. 2026;25 (1):77. doi: 10.1007/s40200-026-01868-w. PubMed PMID:41757384 PubMed Central PMC12932786.
- Lopes, R, Carvalho, HL, Sampaio, F, Fernandes, C, Santos, CC, Sousa, C et al.. Molecular Detection of Bartonella henselae in Healthy Cats from Portugal (2015-2025): One Health Context and Implications for Transfusion Medicine. Pathogens. 2026;15 (2):. doi: 10.3390/pathogens15020131. PubMed PMID:41754384 .
- Araújo, ED, Soares, LADA, Lima, GS, Nunes, KG, Costa, DS, Souza, AR et al.. Effects of a Hydrogel Polymer on the Physiology and Antioxidant Activity of Naturally Colored Cotton Cultivars Under Water Deficit. Plants (Basel). 2026;15 (4):. doi: 10.3390/plants15040667. PubMed PMID:41754374 .