Systems and devices for protease detection based on engineered polymers and biopolymers and methods of use

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to modular peptide-substrate protease assays, in particular low cost and reliable methodology for measurement of protease and other enzyme activity that may be detected by optical turbidimetry or visual observation. The presently disclosed subject matter also relates to methods of using the disclosed assays within methods of detecting and monitoring diseases, methods of drug discovery, as well as in detection devices and systems.