Max Rady College of Medicine
Physiology and Pathophysiology
Room 429 – 745 Bannatyne Avenue
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0J9
Phone: 204-789-3524
Fax: 204-789-3934
robin.dasilva@umanitoba.ca
Robin da Silva, BSc, PhD
Research summary
The da Silva lab studies the processes that contribute to the development of liver fibrosis during liver diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease and viral infection. Purine, folate and B12 metabolism influence the behavior of immune cells that are crucial in the processes of tissue repair. Indeed, the severity of liver fibrosis correlates strongly with folate and vitamin B12 status. Currently there are no effective treatments for liver fibrosis, and we believe that a better understanding of the crosstalk between metabolism and immune signaling are key to the development of future treatments and therapies.
Research themes
- Adensoine receptor function in immune cells
- Omics for discovery (metabolomics, transcriptomics, proteomics)
- Fibrosis in liver disease
- Creatine biosynthesis
- Amino acid metabolism
Keywords
- Metabolism
- NAFLD
- Metabolic syndrome
- Liver fibrosis
Research groups
Biography
Dr. da Silva hails from St. John’s Newfoundland and is now an assistant professor in physiology and pathophysiology in the Rady faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba.
Dr. da Silva obtained his initial training in biochemistry and amino acid metabolism at Memorial University of Newfoundland with a focus on creatine biosynthesis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. He then worked as a post-doctoral researcher studying lipid metabolism as a part of the Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids group at the University of Alberta.
Prior to Manitoba Dr. da Silva was an assistant professor in food science and human nutrition at the University of Florida developing studies on the functions of Adenosine receptors in immune cells.
Dr. da Silva has developed several successful collaborations including work with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) studying interactions of HIV treatments on vitamin B3 (niacin) status and Pellagra in Malawi.
Education
- Post-doctoral fellow, University of Alberta (2012 - 2016)
- Biochemistry PhD, Memorial University of Newfoundland (2012)
- Biochemistry BSc, Memorial University of Newfoundland (2005)
Awards
- Invited speaker Folic acid, Vitamin B12 and One-carbon Metabolism SRC (2018)
- Canadian Lipoprotein Conference Post-Doctoral Poster Award (2013)
- Canadian Lipoprotein Conference Post Doctoral Oral Presentation Award (2013)
Contact us
Physiology and Pathophysiology
432 Basic Medical Sciences Building
745 Bannatyne Avenue
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9 Canada
204-789-3696
204-789-3934