Characterizing Stem Cell Proliferation on Magnesium Nanoparticle Mineralized Poly(l-Lactic Acid) Scaffolds for Enthesis Applications

There is a dire need for an orthobiologic material that can provide a stable transition from hard bone to soft ligament tissue since reconstructed joints tend to fail at the tendon-to-bone insertion site (TBI). Here, research is being done to investigate regenerating the TBI using poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) mineralized with hydroxyapatite (HA) and magnesium nanoparticles. Ultimately, the goal of this research is to develop a nano-structured material fashioned in the shape of an o-ring to restore functionality to injured entheses - the graded transition of mineralized fibrocartilage connecting ligament to bone.