The controlled assembly of micron to nano-sized colloids using DNA has generated great interest in the past decade; however, dispersion of these aggregates is currently achieved using temperature changes. By controlling the number and affinity of duplexes between surfaces, weak, but complete particle aggregation is induced through primary hybridization events. This aggregated suspension can then be redispersed through the addition of longer, competitive secondary targets with greater propensity for duplex formation than the primary target. The efficiency of competitive hybridization events is based upon the length of both the primary and competitive targets, the concentration of DNA linkages between particle surfaces, and the accessibility of the surface duplexes to the competitive target. To minimize the number of DNA linkages while simultaneously allowing competitive targets greater access, a system was developed whereby restriction endonuclease AluI clips non-hybridizing or diluent strands immobilized to the surface. This approach allows precise control on the surface coverage of active hybridizing probe while still obtaining the benefits of shorter diluent strands with less steric hindrance. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to examine using DNA hybridization events to both aggregate and disperse colloidal particles at a fixed temperature.