The complex formation of oppositely charged surfactants with some polypeptides is known to induce beta-sheet or helix formation. Here, we report on the complex formation of cylindrical brush polymers with poly(L-lysine) side chains and sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS). With increasing amount of added surfactant the cylindrical polymers first adopt a helical conformation with a pitch of approximately 14-24 nm followed by a sherically collapsed structure before eventually precipitation occurs. CD measurements suggest that the helix formation of the cylindrical brush polymers is driven by the hydrophobicity of the beta-sheets formed by the PLL side chain-SDS complexes.