the invention relates to an ancient defense polymer having biological activity . the polymer comprises both discrete hydrophilic blocks containing cationic charge and discrete hydrophobic blocks , making it amphipathic and antimicrobial in a manner analogous to natural antimicrobial peptides that form an ancient defense mechanism employed by many organisms . such a polymer may be formed into devices designed to resist infection or bound to the surface of an apparatus to lend the biological activity to the surface of the apparatus .