Protocol for mapping gene essentiality changes in yeast using inducible gene deletion mutants

Sabine van Schie; Jolanda van Leeuwen

doi:10.1016/j.xpro.2026.104723

Protocol for mapping gene essentiality changes in yeast using inducible gene deletion mutants

STAR Protoc. 2026 Jul 20;7(3):104723. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2026.104723. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Sabine van Schie¹, Jolanda van Leeuwen²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Systems Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
² Department of Systems Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland. Electronic address: jolanda.vanleeuwen@umassmed.edu.

Abstract

Gene essentiality can differ among genetically distinct individuals. In this protocol, we describe a systematic approach for identifying genes that are essential in a laboratory strain of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae but vary in essentiality across other yeast isolates. This approach relies on a collection of inducible essential gene deletion mutants in the laboratory background. We describe steps for crossing this collection to a yeast isolate of interest, selecting haploid segregant progeny, inducing essential gene loss, and determining viability. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Batté et al.¹.

Keywords: Genetics; Genomics; High Throughput Screening; Microbiology; Model Organisms; Systems biology.