Some embodiments of the invention are directed to a microarray of binary nucleic acid probes for the detection of one or a plurality of nucleic acid analytes in a complex sample in a single high throughput assay with extraordinary specificity under physiologic conditions. Any binary nucleic acid probes that generate a detectable signal when bound to analyte are suitable for use in the microarrays, including binary deoxyribozyme or ribozyme probes; nonenzymatic binary probes for fluorescent detection, nonenzymatic binary dye-binding probes, and binary split enzyme peroxidase probes for visual detection of nucleic acids. The invention is also directed to new non nonenzymatic binary probes that bind to reporter oligonucleotides.