A hybrid linear polymer-dendrimer block copolymer, poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(L-lysine) dendrimer, was synthesized and introduced to form polyionic complexes with DNA. The copolymer formed core-shell type nanoparticles with plasmid DNA. From dynamic light scattering experiments, the mean diameter of the polyplexes was observed to be 154.4 nm. The complex showed much increased water solubility compared to poly(L-lysine). The plasmid DNA in polyplexes was efficiently protected from the enzymatic digestion of DNase I. The cytotoxicity and transfection efficiency for 293 cells was measured in comparison with poly(Llysine).