Screening of large-scale genetic interaction networks

A method comprising:

• selecting a first plurality of single gene mutants from a pool of possible single gene mutants of an organism wherein the first plurality of single gene mutants is less than a number of possible single mutants;
• and
• using a computer processor, iteratively selecting a second plurality of single gene mutants by selecting single gene mutants from the pool of possible single gene mutants that increases a sum of products of similarities between the first plurality of single gene mutants and corresponding functional relationships as indicated by co-annotations or other functional genomic data from the organism, wherein the second plurality of single gene mutants is larger in number than the first plurality of single gene mutants, and wherein the second plurality of single gene mutants is less than the number of possible single gene mutants of the organism;
• and
• outputting a set of genes comprising the first and second pluralities of single gene mutants.