Macromolecules and macromolecular aggregates like DNA and phospholipid membranes, obtained through isolation and/or reconstitution of fundamental building blocks of the living matter, determine their basic modes of action as well as responses to changes in their molecular environment. The analysis of various macromolecular liquid crystalline phases, be they biological macromoleculs themselves or their complicated anorganic analogues, as well as their basic symmetries and fundamental biocolloidal interactions define the first step of the proposed research program. The intergration of these fundamental principles of the nature of the structures and interactions among the basic macromolecular building blocks in the understanding of the physical properties and even more importantly, the possibility of control of the type and resonse of the constituents of the cell or cells and larger cell aggregates on changes in their environment represents the second step of this research program. Its basic principle being the bottom-up physical reconstitution of various living systems, from simple, model macromolecules all the way to morte complicated macromolecular aggregates, cells, organs and tissues.