Gels and polymers comprising a polypeptide bound to a polysaccharide are disclosed. Specific polypeptides include, but are not limited to, polypeptides that comprise glutamine or tyrosine residues. Specific polysaccharides include, but are not limited to, chitosan. Gels and polymers of the invention can be used for the in vitro and in situ formation of protein-polysaccharide conjugates. Methods of making polypeptide/polysaccharide gels and polymers are also disclosed.