Biological polyelectrolyte complexes and interactions

The function of biopolymers is to a large extent determined by their structure as a basis for higher organisation and interactions with e.g. ligands.

Emphasis is on higher order structurs formation in polysaccharides, e.g. polysaccharide - DNA condensation - important for gene theraphy; inter-polymer interactions - important for e.g. amyloid formation; action of polymermodyfying enzymes on polymeric substrates.

Important tools include ultramicroskopy (EM, AFM), dynamic force spectroskopy, rheology, optical techniques. Single-molecule experiments on biopolymers.