In various aspects, the present invention is directed to novel bioactive peptide loaded poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF) tissue scaffolds and related methods for their making and use. In various embodiments, these bioactive peptide loaded poly(propylene fumarate) tissue scaffolds are formed by forming a PPF structure or matrix using photochemical 3-D printing techniques and then loading that printed PPF structure or matrix with a bioactive peptides or other bioactive compounds that have, or have been functionalized to have, a thiol functional group at or near its terminus. The thiol groups on the bioactive peptides or other compound will react with exposed alkene functional groups on the PPF polymer matrix via a thiol-ene “click” reaction, thereby binding these bioactive peptides or other compounds to the tissue scaffolds. The bioactive peptide loaded PPF tissue scaffolds of the present invention are particularly useful in repairing bone defects.
