  Inspired by recent experiments on DNA replication, we apply a one-dimensional
nucleation-and-growth model to DNA-replication kinetics, focusing on how to
extract the time-dependent nucleation rate I(t) and growth speed v from data.
We discuss generic experimental problems, namely spatial inhomogeneity,
measurement noise, and finite-size effects. After evaluating how each of these
affects the measurements of I(t) and v, we give guidelines for the design of
experiments. These ideas are then discussed in the context of the
DNA-replication experiments.
