In the realm of youthful innovators, a 14-year-old Heman Bekele, a student from Fairfax, Virginia has created a revolutionary soap known as MTS (Melanoma Treating Soap), designed to combat skin cancer.
(Photo : 3M Young Scientist Challenge)
A 14-year-old prodigy creates a groundbreaking Melanoma Treating Soap, a remarkable solution in the fight against cancer.
Creating a Revolutionary Soap
His extraordinary achievement has propelled him to the highest honor in the 3M Young Scientist's Challenge this year. This competition encourages young minds to craft inventive solutions for common problems.
Interesting Engineering reported the Melanoma Treating Soap (MTS) is formulated with cancer-fighting agents, with a primary focus on Imidazoquinoline, artfully combined with a nanolipid-based particle transporter.
Bekele's inspiration for this remarkable creation can be traced back to his early experiences in Ethiopia before his relocation to the United States at the age of 4.
During his time in Ethiopia, he witnessed the prevalence of skin cancer, particularly among individuals who toiled under the sun.
Witnessing the high costs of skin cancer treatment globally, Bekele was motivated to create an affordable and accessible solution.
To accomplish this, he primarily employed digital molecular testing, a process that involved extensive experimentation with various ingredients and their combinations within a computer model.
Cancer-Fighting Drugs
This approach enabled him to evaluate the effectiveness of each combination with precision. Although the soap showed promising results in digital testing, it has not yet undergone human trials due to the absence of FDA certification.
MTS primarily aims to deliver cancer-fighting drugs using lipid nanoparticles, as reported by NPR. These nanoparticles activate the body's immune cells to combat cancer effectively.
The young innovator behind MTS, shared his motivation, stating that the average price of skin cancer treatment globally is almost $40,000. When he heard those shocking statistics, it inspired his to create a more affordable and accessible solution.
He started experimenting and working on different projects, and that eventually led to the development of his soap. Bekele emphasized that his research and development began in the family kitchen and basement, focusing on the saponification (soap-making) process.
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This process involved the use of an emulsifier, some bases, and a few chemicals, all handled safely and efficiently within his home. As his work progressed, Bekele sought assistance from the University of Virginia and Georgetown, moving his research outside the home environment.
With the prize money from the 3M Young Scientist's Challenge, Bekele plans to further his STEM research. He explained that he still needs a lot of resources to conduct this research, so this money will definitely help him achieve those goals.
Aside from Bekele, Discovery Education reported that a group of fourteen students aged 11-14 tackled real-world problems within their communities or globally. To present their solutions, they submitted concise one- to two-minute videos explaining the science behind their ideas.
The roster of the ten finalists features students hailing from various public and private schools throughout the United States.
Related Article: Intel Science Talent Search Honors Young Scientists Across The Country
