The genes passed to us by our parents play a bigger role in the body's disease-fighting ability than scientists previously thought.
New evidence suggests genetic factors may be the key to how effectively and efficiently the body builds and deploys disease-fighting molecules, Queensland researchers have found.
This means scientists might be able to intervene and give people strong immunities.
Associate Professor John Miles says previously the environment around us was thought to be the main factor behind our ability to fight viruses.
"(Scientists thought) it didn't matter so much about your genetics, it mattered more about what you were exposed to in your household, but this shows the power (to fight disease) is controlled by genetics," he told AAP on Friday.
The team studied thousands of identical twins and their siblings' response to six common viruses, including Glandular fever.
By studying each family's response to the viruses, they were able to determine that a strong immune response is passed from our parents in their genes.
"These genes determine whether you mount an intense or weak immune response when confronted with a viral infection," he said.
"And, the stronger the response the better able you are of not getting infected."
Prof Miles says the team is now working to identify the genes responsible for a strong immune response.
"Because then we can work out the pathways and artificially give people (the strong) response - we can intervene," he said.
"We're uncovering the secrets of the immune system so we can control them in the future to give everyone a strong immune response."
The research was published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
It was conducted in partnership with JCU's Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine and the University of Queensland's Diamantina Institute.
