DNA-functionalized silver and silver/gold bimetallic nanoparticle superstructure probes with controllable sizes and optical properties are synthesized using monothiol DNA and dithiothreitol. The superstructures exhibit a very narrow size distribution, which can be easily controlled by balancing the ratio of dithiothreitol and DNA. These superstructures assemble reversibly in a highly cooperative manner, and are SERS active. Multiplexed colorimetric detection of DNA targets using these superstructure probes has been demonstrated to identify three different DNA target sequences that are associated with three lethal diseases, respectively.