Exploring genetic suppression interactions on a global scale

The genetic background of an organism can influence the overall effects of new genetic variants. Some mutations can amplify a deleterious phenotype, whereas others can suppress it. Starting with a literature survey and expanding into a genomewide assay, van Leeuwen et al. generated a large-scale suppression network in yeast. The data set reveals a set of general properties that can be used to predict suppression interactions. Furthermore, the study provides a template for extending suppression studies to other genes or to more complex organisms. Science , this issue p. [599][1] [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/content/354/6312/aag0839.full