Dental stem cells are heterogeneous in their properties. Despite their common origin from neural crest stem cells, they have different functional capacities and biological functions due to niche influence. In this study, we assessed the differences between dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) and periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSC) in their pluripotency and neuroepithelial markers transcription, morphological and functional features, osteoblast/odontoblast differentiation and proteomic profile during osteogenic differentiation. The data were collected in paired observations: two cell cultures, DPSC and PDLSC, were obtained from each donor. Both populations had the mesenchymal stem cells surface marker set exposed on their membranes but differed in Nestin (a marker of neuroectodermal origin) expression, morphology, and proliferation rate. OCT4 mRNA was revealed in DPSC and PDLSC, while OCT4 protein was present in the nuclei of DPSC only. However, transcription of OCT4 mRNA was 1000–10,000-fold lower in dental stem cells than in blastocysts. DPSC proliferated at a slower rate and have a shape closer to polygonal but they responded better to osteogenic stimuli as compared to PDLSC. RUNX2 mRNA was detected by qPCR in both types of dental stem cells but RUNX2 protein was detected by LC-MS/MS shotgun proteomics only in PDLSC suggesting the posttranscriptional regulation. DSPP and DMP1, marker genes of odontoblastic type of osteogenic differentiation, were transcribed in DPSC but not in PDLSC samples. Our results prove that DPSC and PDLSC are different in their biology and therapeutic potential: DPSC are a good candidate for osteogenic or odontogenic bone-replacement cell-seeded medicines, while fast proliferating PDLSC are a prospective candidate for other cell products.

An important trend in the field of floriculture is the creation of new varieties of ornamental plants, among which varieties with unusual color are most in demand. To this end, traditional breeding and selection programs have been successfully applied for many years. However, currently genetic engineering is able to offer an alternative way to obtain new forms and varieties. Anthocyanins belonging to flavonoids, betalains and carotenoids are the main types of pigments that are synthesized in the plant and are responsible for the color of flower petals. The modification of pigment biosynthesis pathways using genetic engineering techniques can produce results that cannot be obtained by traditional breeding. This review presents the main advances in the application of genetic engineering techniques in floriculture using the example of flower color modification. There are several main areas of work with the genes of pigment biosynthesis. Among them, the strategy of suppressing gene expression is used most often. Expression of certain genes is suppressed to prevent pigment synthesis, or vice versa, to eliminate factors that hinder color development. The method of additional heterologous genes insertion to plants lacking them in the pathway of pigment biosynthesis is often used. Genomic editing, in particular by using the CRISPR/Cas system, is also used for color modification, but the application of this method to ornamental plants is a relatively recent innovation. Despite the rapid development of biotechnology, there are obstacles to the distribution of genetically modified plants on the world market. By addressing a number of problems, the production of transgenic ornamental plants may become economically more cost-effective and attractive than the development of new varieties exclusively through traditional breeding methods.