Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions that can detect the presence of specific entities or substances in an environment, and provide an amplified response to the detection as manifested by release of enzymes, reporter signals or drugs. The detection and response is based on nucleic acid functionalities, such as aptamer regions that are designed to specifically bind almost any entity or ligand, and enzymatic regions that can cleave nucleic acids at specific sequences. The response can be amplified on a first order through creating an allosteric relationship between the different nucleic acid functionalities present on the same nucleic acid molecule and on a second order through the release of active cargo molecules capable of generating molecules detectable by their color, fluorescence, luminescence, or ability to modulate an electric signal.