Abstract: Provided herein are nucleic acid-based nanoswitches that can detect specific nucleic acids and other analytes types by for example a simple gel electrophoresis readout. Binding of the target to the nanoswitches induces a conformation change from a linear, open conformation to a looped, closed conformation. These nanoswitches may be used in diagnostic assays such as nucleic acid-based diagnostic assays, to detect, measure and/or purify a variety of targets including low abundance targets.

Abstract: Provided herein are nucleic acid-based nanoswitches that can detect specific nucleic acids and other analytes types by for example a simple gel electrophoresis readout. Binding of the target to the nanoswitches induces a conformation change from a linear, open conformation to a looped, closed conformation. These nanoswitches may be used in diagnostic assays such as nucleic acid-based diagnostic assays, to detect, measure and/or purify a variety of targets including low abundance targets.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a nucleic acid, including: a DNA nanoswitch-nucleic acid complex including a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) nanoswitch and a ribonucleic acid binding site, wherein the DNA nanoswitch has a first conformation characterized as open, and a second conformation characterized as closed when in a presence of ribonucleic acid-of-interest. DNA nanoswitches that hybridize to preselected viral RNA are also disclosed, as well as methods of detecting or identifying an RNA virus, and kits related thereto.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a polynucleotide capable of signaling under preselected conditions. For example, the present disclosure relates to a method of reconfiguring a nucleic acid or polynucleotide, including: contacting a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) nanoswitch and nucleic acid to form a DNA nanoswitch-nucleic acid complex having a first conformation, wherein the first conformation is characterized as locked; contacting the DNA nanoswitch-nucleic acid complex with a biological specimen to form a mixture, wherein when the nucleic acid is ribonucleic acid (RNA) and the biological specimen includes one or more ribonucleases, the first conformation changes to a second conformation characterized as open; processing the mixture under conditions sufficient to separate the first conformation, and when present, the second conformation; and reacting the first conformation, and when present, the second conformation with an indicator under conditions sufficient to form a signal.

Abstract: Provided herein are nucleic acid-based nanoswitches that can detect specific nucleic acids and other analytes types by for example a simple gel electrophoresis readout. Binding of the target to the nanoswitches induces a conformation change from a linear, open conformation to a looped, closed conformation. These nanoswitches may be used in diagnostic assays such as nucleic acid-based diagnostic assays, to detect, measure and/or purify a variety of targets including low abundance targets.