Fig. 5

Regenerative techniques using human MSCs to treat osteochondral defects have had limited success, however nanotechnology may enhance the efficacy of these therapies. This diagram demonstrates the typical sequence of events for MSC treatment using nanotechnology. MSCs are first harvested from the patient and cultured in a growth medium (a). Once differentiated into chondrocytes (b), these cells are implanted onto the desired scaffold material, cultured in a bioreactor (c), and reimplanted into the patient (d)