Aristocrat's remains may hold swine flu key

Scientists believe a an East Riding aristocrat who died 90 years ago could be the key to understanding the swine flu epidemic.

Driffield-based Sir Mark Sykes, a Tory MP, soldier and diplomat, was one of 50 million people killed when Spanish flu swept the world in 1918.

He was exhumed last year at St Mary's, in Sledmere, in the hope that the Spanish virus could help them understand bird flu.

All three strains are part of the H1N1 virus but Spanish flu is thought to be the first.

The importance of Sir Mark's remains lies in the fact that he was buried in a lead-lined coffin, which had preserved body tissue.

A team led by one of the world's leading virologists, Professor John Oxford, of Queen Mary's School of Medicine, London, will study samples taken from the grave.

They hope to piece together the genetic make-up of Spanish flu, leading to a better understanding of how it attacks.

Prof Oxford said: "The work we do can be linked to all three strains but at this stage it's difficult to know how important the samples taken from Sir Mark will be.

"I suspect something really interesting could come out of this. We could identify a weakness of the virus and exploit it.

"Any new knowledge about the 1918 virus, how it kills people and where it goes, could provide vital background information on analysing swine flu.

"Unfortunately, we cannot handle the samples while the swine flu virus is spreading and we need to wait for it to subside.

"We are now working with Dr Jeffrey Taubenberger in the USA who is a forensic scientist.

"Frozen samples are being sent to Washington for tests which could unlock secrets of the virus - but the work will probably take six months."

Baronet Sir Mark died in Paris on February 19, 1919, aged 39, while taking part in post World War One peace talks.

Sir Mark's six grandchildren, including the present owner of Sledmere House, Sir Tatton Sykes, had all given their consent for the exhumation.

Last year, Sir Mark's grandson, writer and photographer Christopher Sykes, told the Mail: "It is fascinating that even in his state as a corpse, he might be helping in some way."