The science and art behind a genetic disorder affecting 1 in 3,000 people is the focus of the next Omaha Science Cafe at 7 p.m., Feb. 12 at the Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St.
Neurofibromatosis is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow in the nervous system, and can show up as light brown spots on the skin, bumps under the skin and abnormal development of the spine, the temple bone of the skull or the tibia, the long shin bone in the leg.
Sean McGarry, M.D., an assistant professor in the department of orthopaedic surgery and rehabilitation at UNMC, will discuss what neurofibromatosis is and how it is treated, followed by artist Rachel Mindrup, who will talk about why she paints people afflicted with this disease.
Pizza will be provided by The Nebraska Coalition for Lifesaving Cures for the first 50 people.