Vibrionaceae replication factors and methods of use thereof

A method of screening for an antibacterial agent capable of inhibiting chromosomal nucleic acid replication in cells of a bacterial species of the family of Vibrionaceae, said method comprising:

• contacting a test cell with a candidate agent;
• measuring replication of the nucleic acid in the test cell and in a control cell not contacted with the candidate agent;
• and
• comparing replication of the nucleic acid in the test cell with replication of nucleic acid in the control cell,
• whereby a decrease in replication of the nucleic acid in the test cell relative to the replication of nucleic acid in the control cell, is the absence of the candidate and otherwise identical, identifies the candidate agent as an antibacterial agent capable of inhibiting nucleic acid replication in the cell.