Dr Rianne Lord

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick

Scientific Background

Research Interests

My research focuses on the design and development of novel metallodrugs for the treatment of disease, for example, cancer and antimicrobial resistance, with particular emphasis on using biocompatible and non-toxic metals. We explore how the unique redox properties and coordination environments of metals can be harnessed to achieve selective uptake, distribution, and targeting of biomolecules within cells. Alongside synthetic chemistry and characterisation, we apply a range of chemical biology techniques—including whole-cell ICP-MS, EPR spectroscopy, microscopy, and 3D cell culture models—to study how these compounds behave in biologically relevant, tumour-like environments. This interdisciplinary approach allows us to gain mechanistic insight into how metal-based drugs function at the cellular level and supports the development of new therapeutic strategies.

Research Groups

Lord Research Group

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: student-centred, inclusive, collaborative.

Provision of Training

I provide tailored, hands-on training that integrates synthetic chemistry, analytical techniques, and chemical biology methods, ensuring PhD students gain both technical expertise and transferable skills. Regular one-to-one mentoring, group meetings, and opportunities for conference participation support their academic development and career progression. Training will be supervised by me and the group's postdocs/PhD students.

Progression Monitoring and Management

I encourage students to take full ownership of their research while actively engaging with the team for collaborative problem-solving and support. Progress is closely monitored through regular one-to-one meetings to review training needs and plan upcoming work, complemented by quarterly progress reviews and annual assessments in line with institutional requirements. This structured approach ensures timely feedback, clear goal-setting, and early identification of any challenges, supporting continuous academic and professional development.

Communication

I am readily available via email and Teams, though while I may send messages outside of regular hours, I do not expect responses until standard working times. Communication is kept professional and within working hours, with no use of informal platforms like WhatsApp. I maintain open and consistent communication through weekly one-to-one meetings and team discussions, creating space for ongoing dialogue and collaborative support. Expectations and feedback are communicated clearly to ensure alignment on goals and to foster a supportive, inclusive research environment. I’m always available to discuss any personal or academic challenges and will actively support students in accessing further help if needed.

Meetings

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me at least once per week. These meetings will be a mixture of face-to-face and via video chat or telephone. I am usually contactable for an instant response on every working day.

Work Patterns

The timing of work in my lab is completely flexible, and (other than attending pre-arranged meetings) I expect students to manage their own time.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 1 week’s notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5,000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Primary supervisor for:

Chemical Interrogation of Intracellular Redox Processes Using Metal-Based Probes

See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).

Chemical Interrogation of Intracellular Redox Processes Using Metal-Based Probes

Secondary Supervisor(s): Dr Hannah Bridgewater

University of Registration: University of Warwick

BBSRC Research Themes:

Understanding the Rules of Life (Structural Biology)

Project Outline

Intracellular redox homeostasis governs fundamental biological processes, including cell signalling, metabolic adaptation, and cell death. Redox imbalance is also central to conditions such as cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes, and cancer. While oxidative and reductive stress drive key cellular pathways, mapping localised redox changes inside complex tissue remains a major hurdle. To aid in these challenges, this project will focus on the design of transition-metal vanadium complexes which will target microenvironments due to their unique optical, electrochemical, and structural properties. This interdisciplinary project combines synthetic inorganic chemistry and cell biology to develop redox-active metal probes to map biosystem dynamics in real time.

Objectives

Design & Synthesis: Prepare a modular library of vanadium complexes, which possess unique redox chemistry, and which will be functionalised with fluorescent tags for selective intracellular targeting and signal readout.
Physicochemical Characterisation: Evaluate electrochemical profiles, reversibility, luminescence, and stability under physiological conditions.
Biological Validation: Map intracellular redox shifts, organelle localisation, and metabolic responses in 2D and complex 3D cell models.

The Lord group (Chemistry) will drive the vanadium complexes, including design, synthesis, cyclic voltammetry, spectroscopic profiling, and cytotoxicity screening. The Bridgewater group (Life Sciences) will lead further cellular studies, including confocal microscopy localisation and phenotypic redox monitoring. Established 3D organoid and raft models of cancer will be utilised to test complexes in diseases with known redox imbalance. This cross-faculty collaboration provides high-level interdisciplinary training in chemical biology, advancing BBSRC priorities in functional bioscience tools.

Bioreducible cobalt probes: Chemical tools to interrogate fungal metal homeostasis

See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).

Bioreducible cobalt probes: Chemical tools to interrogate fungal metal homeostasis

Secondary Supervisor(s): Dr Matthew Jenner, Dr Fabrizio Alberti

University of Registration: University of Warwick

BBSRC Research Themes:

Understanding the Rules of Life (Microbiology)

Project Outline

Fungal pathogens rely on tightly regulated metal homeostasis, providing distinct molecular targets for chemical biology tools to uncover core microbial survival mechanisms. Transition metal complexes—particularly those based on cobalt—offer distinct advantages due to cobalt’s Co(III) to Co(II) redox switch and its capacity to mimic essential bio-metals (Fe/Zn) in metalloproteins. Coordinating fluorescent ligands to cobalt can yield redox-triggered probes capable of perturbing metal-dependent pathways while tracking intracellular dynamics and speciation, avoiding classical resistance mechanisms.

The scientific rationale focuses on synthetic coordination chemistry to design bioreducible Co(III) complexes activated within the reducing fungal environment. Intracellular reduction to Co(II) will trigger ligand dissociation, release fluorescent reporters and disrupt fungal metal transport, storage, and utilisation. Coupling complex synthesis with fluorescence imaging and analytical spectrometry allows direct tracking of cellular uptake, activation kinetics, and metabolic responses.

The key objectives are to:

(1) Synthesise and characterise a library of redox-active Co(III) complexes bearing functionalised fluorescent ligands;

(2) Evaluate their capacity to perturb metal homeostasis and cellular function in model fungal systems;

(3) Map intracellular probe reduction, uptake kinetics, binding targets, and metal-responsive natural-product pathways using microscopy, mass spectrometry, and fungal genetics.

This project integrates coordination chemistry, quantitative chemical biology, mass spectrometry, and fungal genetics. Fluorescence microscopy will map probe activation, while mass spectrometry and omics profiling track cobalt speciation and pathway responses. Biosynthetic engineering will further identify metal-responsive natural-product pathways, establishing a versatile chemical platform for studying fungal metallobiology.