We discuss some aspects of the relation between space-time properties
of branes in string theory, and the gauge theory on their world-volume
, for models invariant under four supercharges in three and four dimen
sions. We show that a simple set of rules governing brane dynamics rep
roduces many features of gauge theory. We study theories with U(N-c),
SO(N-c) and Sp(N-c) gauge groups and matter in the fundamental and two
-index tensor representations, and use the brane description to establ
ish Seiberg's electric-magnetic duality for these models. (C) 1997 Els
evier Science B.V.