Carbohydrates are true multitalents – they are an important energy source such as glucose, they are highly variable materials such as cellulose and they play a pivotal role in many biological information processes such as cell-cell communication. Thus, bringing together carbohydrates and synthetic polymers in the development of so-called glycopolymers leads to highly variable and diversely functional materials with broad applications. This talk will focus on the synthesis and applications of amphiphilic glycopolymers – their self-assembly and adhesion properties as well as their applications for pathogen detection and inhibition.