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
- Català-Moll, F, Blázquez-Bondia, C, Farré-Badia, J, Torres, F, Manzardo, C, Bonfill, E et al.. Dolutegravir restores gut microbiota in late-stage HIV-1 unlike darunavir: an open-label, randomized clinical trial. Nat Commun. 2026;17 (1):. doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-69846-7. PubMed PMID:41781390 .
- Silva, AB, Melo, HMA, Chagas, BLS, Borba, AKOT, Melo, DAP. Social determinants of health among older homeless people: a scoping review. Cien Saude Colet. 2026;31 (2):e08152024. doi: 10.1590/1413-81232026312.08152024. PubMed PMID:41779575 .
- Silva, AS, Santos, LFS, Silva, MT, Costa, MML, Salustino, AS, Rolim, RR et al.. Multispectral imaging to validate the effectiveness of the combination of biological and chemical management of Spodoptera frugiperda in a region with high selection pressure. Braz J Biol. 2026;85 :e297263. doi: 10.1590/1519-6984.297263. PubMed PMID:41779531 .
- Josino, R, Yokota-Moreno, BY, Nóbrega, IS, Silva, ALTE, Moysés, MBB, Ferreira, GG et al.. Guided and unguided neural organoids play complementary roles in studying neurodevelopment and neuroinflammation. Einstein (Sao Paulo). 2026;24 :eAO1716. doi: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2026AO1716. PubMed PMID:41779463 .
- das Neves, MAB, Galvão, ND, de Lima, FCDS, Oliveria, JFP, Xavier, SP, da Silva, AMC et al.. Factors associated with advanced diagnosis of cervical cancer: a hospital-based retrospective study in a state of the Brazilian Legal Amazon. Ecancermedicalscience. 2025;19 :2045. doi: 10.3332/ecancer.2025.2045. PubMed PMID:41778184 PubMed Central PMC12950892.