How can two people infected by the same pathogen have such different responses? It largely comes down to variability in genetics (the genes you inherit) and life experience (your environmental, infection, and vaccination history). These two influences are imprinted on our cells through small molecular alterations called epigenetic changes, which shape cell identity and function by controlling which genes are turned “on” or “off.” Salk scientists, led by Joseph Ecker, PhD, debuted a new epigenetic catalog that reveals the distinct effects of genetic inheritance and life experience on various types of immune cells. The new cell-type-specific database helps explain why people can respond differently to the same illnesses and medications, and could serve as the foundation for more effective and personalized therapeutics.  

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