The present disclosure provides nucleic acid-based nanoswitch catenanes and methods of use. A nanoswitch catenane may include a single-stranded nucleic acid comprising a first and second terminal domain linked to each other to form a host ring by one of a first, second or third switchable bridges, wherein the first switchable bridge is formed in the presence of a reaction agent through the reaction of two cognate functional groups, each linked to a terminal domain of the single-stranded nucleic acid, wherein the second switchable bridge is formed in the presence of a biomolecule of interest through binding of the bio-molecule of interest to two cognate antibodies, each linked to a terminal domain of the single stranded nucleic acid, and wherein the third switchable bridge is a link between two cognate functional groups that breaks in the presence of a dissociation agent. A nanoswitch catenane may also include a circular nucleic acid guest ring catenated with the host ring.