Our Methodology
NutriGenAI uses two complementary, peer-reviewed frameworks — each applied where it was designed to be used.
Dual-Framework Approach
NutriGenAI employs two distinct, peer-reviewed tools at the appropriate level of analysis:
Individual Study Quality
Q-Genie v1.1 — Purpose-built for assessing the methodological quality of genetic association studies. Scores 11 dimensions (1–7 each), yielding a total out of 77.
Multi-Study Evidence Synthesis
Grimaldi et al. (2017) — Designed for evaluating the overall strength of evidence for a gene × diet interaction across multiple studies.
Q-Genie v1.1
The Quality of Genetic Association Studies (Q-Genie) tool was developed by an international panel of experts and validated for assessing the methodological quality of genetic association studies.
Unlike reporting checklists (e.g. STROBE, CONSORT) which measure transparency, Q-Genie evaluates actual methodological quality.
Sohani ZN et al., BMC Medicine (2015)11 Quality Criteria (each scored 1–7)
Adequacy of hypothesis and scientific rationale for chosen genes.
Appropriateness of outcome classification, participant sampling, and assessor blinding.
Control group selection, comparability, and description of selection procedures.
DNA source, genotyping platform, call rates, HWE testing, and imputation methods.
Blinding of genotyping assessors, batch consistency, and sample randomisation.
Disclosure and discussion of time-lag bias, attrition bias, and other potential biases.
Adequacy of sample size and whether a priori power analysis was conducted.
Analysis plan description, reporting completeness, and pre-specification of subgroups.
Confounding control, missing data handling, and multiple testing corrections.
Testing of haplotype inference, relatedness, and verification of sex/ethnicity.
Whether conclusions are proportionate to the evidence and limitations acknowledged.
Scoring: Total score = sum of Q1–Q11 (range 11–77)
With control groups: ≤35 Poor · 36–45 Moderate · >45 Good
Without control groups: ≤32 Poor · 33–40 Moderate · >40 Good
Grimaldi Framework (Phase 2 Synthesis)
The Grimaldi et al. (2017) framework was developed within the EU FP7 Food4Me project to establish minimum standards of evidence for the scientific validity of nutrigenetic gene × diet interactions.
NutriGenAI applies this framework when synthesising multiple studies investigating the same SNP, assessing the cumulative evidence across five dimensions.
Grimaldi et al., Genes & Nutrition (2017)5 Synthesis Dimensions
Do studies agree on which genotype group shows differential response?
Pooled sample size across studies and statistical power.
Collective mechanistic evidence from different angles.
Evidence of genotype gradient across studies.
Distribution of Q-Genie quality scores across the study set.
Evidence Classification:
How They Work Together
Upload Paper(s)
Each paper assessed individually
Q-Genie Assessment
11 criteria, quality score
Grimaldi Synthesis
Multi-study evidence grade