A precise control of metallic-nanoparticle assembly is highly critical for the realization of tangible, high-performance devices or materials. Until recently, nanoparticle assembly using 1D templates had been limited to a narrow spectrum of nanoparticles as it was mostly dependent on the surface chemistry of the nanoparticles used. Inspired by the universal adhesive properties of mussels, we demonstrate a universal polymeric template for 1D assembly of various nanoparticles including, gold nanoparticles, iron oxide nanoparticles, and quantum dots. We find that the length of the 1D assembly is tunable using hyaluronic acid-graft-catechol templates with various contour lengths.