Our group is interested in aspects of biomolecular self-assembly in areas that span from diseases, materials, and origin of life. Inspired by nature we design short peptides and utilize amino acids that self-assemble into novel materials. These materials include coatings that prevent bacterial adhesion, capsules with antiviral activity, and superhydrophobic objects. In addition, we study the role of non-coded amino acids and peptides as catalysts in the pre-biotic world, the interactions of peptides with hydroxyapatite in bone formation, and bacterial adhesion to surfaces.