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Gustavo M. Silva

Associate Professor of Biology
Biology
130 Science Drive, Box 90338, Durham, NC 27708
130 Science Drive, 3103 French, Durham, NC 27708

Overview


The Silva lab (sites.duke.edu/silvalab) investigates the underlying mechanisms by which gene expression is regulated at the transcriptional and translational levels in response to stress. We are also interested in understanding how the small protein modifier ubiquitin controls the dynamics of protein synthesis and degradation during stress, which are critical for physiology as proteins are the molecular effectors of the cell. Finally, we are elucidating mechanisms by which mutations to ubiquitin enzymes impair mitochondria function, energy metabolism, and cause cellular dysfunction and intellectual disabilities.

Our lab uses an array of cellular and molecular biology tools, proteomics, structural biology, and next generation sequencing to tackle these fundamental biological questions. Our lab also invests in genome-wide methods (e.g. CRISPR screens) to identify and characterize ubiquitin enzymes important for cellular physiology, as well as molecular tools to understand their cellular role. Our ultimate goal is to dissect these unique pathways and develop ubiquitin-based therapies to support cellular health. We have received several awards from federal and private foundations, including being recognized as part of the inaugural cohort of the Science Diversity and Leadership Award from the Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative.

In addition to research, Dr. Silva is an advocate for diversity, inclusion, and transformation in higher education, serving as a member of the Maximizing Access Committee from the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), as a Discipline leader and ambassador for the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS), and as the co-founder and director of the Black Think Tank (BlackThinkTank.duke.edu), a Provost-sponsored initiative to promote the advancement of Black faculty at Duke. Dr. Silva is also the recipient of the 2023 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Mentoring at Duke University.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Associate Professor of Biology · 2024 - Present Biology, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Assistant Professor of Cell Biology · 2022 - Present Cell Biology, Basic Science Departments

In the News


Published April 22, 2025
Ten Faculty Named 2025 Bass Chairs
Published August 25, 2023
Building Resistance by Strengthening Our Cells
Published April 6, 2023
Duke Junior Sofia Guerrero Named Goldwater Scholar

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Recent Publications


Localized K63 Ubiquitin Signaling Is Regulated by VCP/p97 During Oxidative Stress.

Journal Article Mol Cell Proteomics · March 2025 Under stress conditions, cells reprogram their molecular machineries to mitigate damage and promote survival. Ubiquitin signaling is globally increased during oxidative stress, controlling protein fate and supporting stress defenses at several subcellular ... Full text Link to item Cite

Redox control of the deubiquitinating enzyme Ubp2 regulates translation during stress.

Journal Article The Journal of biological chemistry · November 2024 Protein ubiquitination is essential to govern cells' ability to cope with harmful environments by regulating many aspects of protein dynamics from synthesis to degradation. As important as the ubiquitination process, the reversal of ubiquitin chains mediat ... Full text Cite

The ubiquitin conjugase Rad6 mediates ribosome pausing during oxidative stress.

Journal Article Cell reports · November 2023 Oxidative stress causes K63-linked ubiquitination of ribosomes by the E2 ubiquitin conjugase Rad6. How Rad6-mediated ubiquitination of ribosomes affects translation, however, is unclear. We therefore perform Ribo-seq and Disome-seq in Saccharomyces cerevis ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


Tri-Institutional Molecular Mycology and Pathogenesis Training Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029

Stalling cancer at the ribosome

ResearchCollaborator · Awarded by V Foundation for Cancer Research · 2025 - 2028

Duke Preparing Research Scholars in Biomedical Sciences- Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of General Medical Sciences · 2022 - 2027

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Education, Training & Certifications


University of Sao Paulo (Brazil) · 2010 Ph.D.
University of Sao Paulo (Brazil) · 2004 B.Sc.