Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a structure includes: a substrate having a patterned surface of one or more binding sites; and a molecular shape made by a polynucleotide platform having a shape corresponding to a shape of a binding site of the one or more binding sites, the molecular shape being bound to one of the one or more binding sites.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a structure includes: a substrate having a patterned surface of one or more binding sites; and a molecular shape made by a polynucleotide platform having a shape corresponding to a shape of a binding site of the one or more binding sites, the molecular shape being bound to one of the one or more binding sites.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to bistable devices constructed using a polynucleotide platform for sensing molecular events including binding or conformational changes of target molecules. Applications include measuring concentration of a target, measuring the effect of environmental conditions on the target, and screening a library for molecules that bind the target or modulate its function. In embodiments, devices include: a top lid, bottom lid, and flexible linker or hinge between them. A device has an open configuration in which the top and bottom lid are separated, and a closed configuration they are bound close together. Binding domains or variations of the target molecule are fixed to a device so that when the molecular event occurs, the device switches from open to closed, or vice versa. Aspects relate to detecting device geometry using, for example, an optical, electronic, magnetic, or DNA signal.