Purpose
Medical education often involves complex subjects like biochemistry, where understanding metabolic pathways poses a significant challenge to students. Traditional teaching methods may fail to maintain engagement or foster deep learning. This study introduces METAPAD (METAbolic PAthways Decoded), an innovative mobile application leveraging gamification and puzzle-based learning to improve comprehension and retention of biochemical pathways. The purpose of this study is to evaluate METAPAD’s effectiveness in enhancing student learning and engagement.

Methods
METAPAD adopts a user-friendly, puzzle-based gamification strategy to teach metabolic pathways. Available on both iOS and Android, the app combines visual interactivity, timed challenges, and collaborative problem-solving features. Built on the foundation of an earlier hands-on version, the digital format incorporates new enhancements, such as dynamic animations and embedded learning nuggets called ""METABITES,"" which summarize key pathway concepts. The app was validated and implemented with 200 undergraduate medical students. Quantitative and Qualitative feedback was obtained.

Results
The use of METAPAD significantly enhanced student engagement and learning outcomes, with 98.4% of students reporting higher motivation to study metabolic pathways compared to traditional methods. The app's gamified approach, featuring interactive puzzles and timed challenges, was highly effective, with 97.5% of users stating it encouraged repeated practice and collaborative learning. Additionally, 97.8% of participants reported improved retention of complex biochemical concepts. Visual aids and dynamic interactions made the learning process enjoyable for 98.8% of students, who found the content less daunting (97.6%) and more accessible (97.5%).

Conclusion
The METAPAD app demonstrates the transformative potential of digital tools in medical education by reimagining how complex subjects like biochemistry are taught. By integrating gamification with educational content, METAPAD offers an effective alternative to traditional learning methods. Its success in fostering engagement and improving comprehension suggests broad applicability for similar tools across other challenging areas of medical curricula, setting a benchmark for technology-driven learning innovations.