Christopher Schopf’s scientific work addresses the molecular and morphological heterogeneity of human adipose tissue. While subcutaneous and visceral depots represent well-established fields of research, his focus lies on comparing these tissues with anatomically distinct regions, such as the epidural fat within the spinal canal. The pathological expansion of this tissue, known as spinal epidural lipomatosis, carries significant clinical relevance, yet its underlying pathophysiology remains poorly understood. To investigate this condition, he employs a combined approach using radiological imaging to assess tissue extent, alongside high-resolution 3D morphometry and molecular biology analyses. These methods enable a detailed characterization and comparison of the inflammatory and metabolic profiles across different depots. In collaboration with the spine surgery department at the Karl-Olga-Krankenhaus Stuttgart, he pursues a translational goal: to analyze the interaction between local tissue properties and systemic metabolic disorders to decipher their underlying pathophysiology.
