Christopher Schopf's research focuses on the molecular and morphological heterogeneity of human adipose tissue. While the scientific community has extensively studied subcutaneous and visceral fat depots, his research focuses on comparing these tissues with anatomically distinct regions, such as the epidural adipose tissue in the spinal canal. The pathological expansion of this tissue, known as spinal epidural lipomatosis, is clinically highly relevant, however, its pathophysiology remains poorly understood. To investigate this, Christopher Schopf employs a combined approach involving radiological imaging to assess tissue extent, as well as high-resolution 3D morphometry and molecular biological analyses. These methodologies facilitate comprehensive characterization and comparison of the inflammatory and metabolic profiles of the various adipose tissue depots. In collaboration with the Spine Surgery Department at the Karl-Olga Hospital in Stuttgart, he investigates the interaction between local tissue properties and systemic metabolic disorders to demonstrate their significance for the shared pathophysiology.
