Integrated interactive chart as a tool for teaching metabolic pathways

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Educational Technology

Background:

• Existing metabolic maps lack interactive and integrated visualization capabilities.
• Understanding complex energy metabolism pathways (glucose, fatty acids, amino acids) is crucial in biochemistry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present an interactive chart of energy metabolism with didactic functions.
• To complement existing metabolic maps with enhanced visualization and navigation.

Main Methods:

• Developed an interactive chart illustrating catabolic and biosynthetic pathways.
• Integrated information sheets with chemical structures, KEGG links, and reaction navigation.
• Designed for intuitive user navigation across metabolic pathways.

Main Results:

• The interactive chart visualizes major metabolic pathways of glucose, fatty acids, and amino acids.
• Users can access detailed information on metabolites and reactions, including structural formulae and external database links.
• Navigation features allow users to follow metabolic flows and observe transformations, enhancing comprehension.

Conclusions:

• The interactive chart serves as a valuable teaching aid for biochemistry.
• Students reported improved understanding of metabolic pathways and their interconnections.
• The tool is perceived as user-friendly, enjoyable, and desirable for classroom use.