Acquisition of a Laboratory Microtome

The purpose of this project is to acquire one laboratory microtome for preparation of thin, reproducible tissue sections from paraffin-embedded specimens used in the Bladder Cancer Section's research. The microtome will support histologic evaluation, immunohistochemistry, and other tissue-based analyses needed to study mechanisms of resistance to antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) in bladder tumors. A dedicated microtome is justified to enable timely, consistent in-house sectioning of valuable research specimens, reduce dependence on shared equipment or external sectioning, and improve experimental reproducibility and workflow efficiency.

The microtome must provide precise and reproducible section thickness control suitable for routine histology and research applications using paraffin-embedded tissue. The unit should provide stable specimen orientation and controlled sectioning, a secure blade holder with appropriate safety features, and an ergonomic design suitable for repeated laboratory use. Reliable mechanical performance is essential to produce intact, uniform tissue sections for downstream staining, imaging, and quantitative analysis.