Introduction: Hydrogel/apatite nanocomposites are the ideal biomaterial to mimic the physio-chemical and biologic properties of the bone. Synthetic peptides with multiple biologically active sequences, separated by inert spacers and covalently attached to degradable scaffolds, can coordinate multiple regenerative functions in situ including temporary matrix stability, cell attachment and migration, and matrix degradation. The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of a multi-functional peptide sequence consisting of a sequence derived from osteonectin protein (Glu6) and an integrin-binding RGD sequence on material properties of the degradable poly(L-lactide-co-ethylene oxide-fumarate) (PLEOF)/apatite composites. Methods: PLEOF was synthesized by condensation polymerization of ultra-low molecular weight PLA and PEG with fumaryl chloride (FuCl). The structure of PLEOF macromer was characterized by 1H-NMR and FTIR. The multi-functional peptide was synthesized manually in the solid phase using a method developed in our laboratory on the Rink Amide NovaGelTM resin. Six protected glutamic acid derivatives were coupled successively to the resin; then the Fmoc-mini-PEG linker was coupled followed by a protected lysine. The protected aspartic acid, glycine, and arginine amino acids were coupled successively to the lysine residue to form the RGD integrin-binding sequence on the peptide chain. Next, an acrylate group was coupled to the peptide in the solid phase by coupling acrylic acid to the amine group of the lysine residue. The product was purified by HPLC and characterized by mass spectrometry. Porogen leaching technique was used to fabricate the scaffolds. Shear modulus was measured by a rheometer and bone marrow stromal cells, isolated from Wistar rats, were used for cell attachment and migration. Results: A sterile scaffold was placed in each well and seeded with BMS cells suspension in primary media. Subsequently, the plate was incubated for 24 h, washed, and stained with cAM for live cell visualization with a confocal fluorescent microscope. Attachment of the BMS cells to the scaffold with peptide was observed. BMS cells were seeded on the top surface of the scaffolds. The scaffold/cell constructs were placed in 12 well plates and incubated for 1 week. Cells were stained with cAM and EthD dyes visualized with confocal microscopy. The surface of a scaffold pore is filled with migrated cells, which demonstrates that peptide-treated scaffolds support migration of BMS cells. The composite mixture was injected on the Peltier plate of a rheometer for rheological and gelation measurements. The experimental results as a function of apatite concentration demonstrate an order of magnitude increase in shear storage modulus for peptide-treated apatite nanoparticles versus untreated composites. Conclusions: Results demonstrated that the peptide linker significantly improved modulus and well as cell adhesion.