1. Role of extracellular S100B protein and its receptor, RAGE, in neuroprotection and the regulation of brain inflammatory and neurodegenerative processes. 2. Role of intracellular S100B in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation of astrocytes and myoblasts. 3. Role of RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation end products) and its ligands, S100B and HMGB1 (amphoterin) in myogenesis, muscle regeneration, rhabdomyosarcomas (RMSs), and the biology of muscle satellite cells (SCs). 4. Role of RAGE, S100B and HMGB1 in muscle atrophy, sarcopenia and cancer cachexia. 5. Use of microencapsulated Sertoli cells as a new therapeutic approach to counteract muscle degeneration in animal models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and inflammatory myopathies. 6. Alterations induced by microgravity in human muscle satellite cells during space flights.