A teenage scientist's innovative experiment, which may one day lead to a new way to produce designer wheat, won a national science competition this week.

Scott Adams, a 16-year old student from Saskatoon beat 13 other finalists in the Sanofi-Aventis BioTalent Challenge with a study that showed how to modify the starch content of wheat plant.

His research could lead to the growth of designer wheat to be specifically used for applications such as textiles or pasta.

How does Adams feel about winning?

"It's very unexpected," he said to CTV.ca. "It was a high level of competition."

However, despite the win, Adams is still unsure if he wants to pursue a career in agriculture.

"I have a couple years," explained the Grade 10 student. "I'm keeping my options open... it's an area of interest."

Adams received a $5,000 prize for winning the challenge. That money will be shared with his school.

Minister of Industry Tony Clement congratulated the event's 14 contestants, saying "Canada is fortunate to have so many talented young people. I am encouraged by the ingenuity and creativity of the SABC competitors demonstrated here today."

In the study, Adams used a DNA sequence called ODN antisense technology to block production of the gene amylose. He then mixed two wheat nutrients, sucrose and an amino acid, to see if it encouraged the sequence to take root in the wheat and silence this gene.

Because amylase is one of the two ingredients of plant starch, silencing it would drastically alter the starch content in wheat.

Adams explained that his research could lead to scientists to designing new strains of wheat would make harvesting "much more efficient and quick," since it removes a step from wheat harvesting.

Currently, the starch content of wheat is modified after its harvested. Reducing it while the plant is still growing would save money and lower the amount of waste.

The second-place prize of $4,000 went to Joseph McNeil, a Grade 12 student from Cape Breton, N.S. His study showed how green tea can help combat Lou Gehrig's disease by increasing the growth of motor neuron cells.

Together, they will represent Canada at the International BioGENEius Challenge in Atlanta next month, a competition that features students from across North America and Australia.

But Adams isn't getting his hopes up about his chances at that event. "I haven't even thought about it," he said. "I haven't seen the competition."

For his study, Adams worked with two scientists from the University of Saskatchewan. They were allowed to advise him and provide access to research equipment.

Four other prizes were awarded, including one for greatest commercial potential. That special $1,000 award was won by a Manitoba teen that showed the nutritional value of the haskap berry.

The SBAC is an annual science competition that focuses on biotechnology. In it, students work with a mentor to carry out a research project of their own design. Their projects are judged by officials from public and private sectors as well as the previous year's winner.