How should bioinformatics PIs run wet-labs?

With the rapid development of biotechnology, data-driven bioinformatics research is increasingly dependent on data generation from biological wet-labs. At the same time, to gain in-depth knowledge of various biological systems, conventional biology laboratories have become more reliant on the establishment and optimization of advanced bioinformatics methods. Many bioinformatics labs are debating whether to build their own wet-bench or to seek collaborations, while many wet-bench labs are also confused over whether they should build their own dry-labs or likewise seek collaborations. The YBP (Young Bioinformatics PIs) Forum held an online seminar and panel discussion entitled "Bioinformatics PI Running A Wet-lab: Opportunities and Challenges" on Jun 10, 2022. In this forum, three young bioinformatics PIs (Drs. Yiwen Chen, Gangqing Hu and Wanlu Liu) shared their experiences in establishing wet-labs, and four senior bioinformatics PIs (Drs. Xiaole Shirley Liu, Jing-Dong J. Han, Ting Wang, and Kaifu Chen) attended the ensuing panel discussion on the opportunities and challenges of running wet-labs (Table 1).