This is part of a series on selected areas of science and technology prepared by the Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy, at the request of the Science Advisor to the President of the United States. This volume includes four individual reports. The first is the report of the "Research Briefing Panel on Science of Interfaces and Thin Films." It discusses the recent tools and techniques that have become available for dealing with the scientific problems of buried interfaces (the junction of two different substances or two phases of the same substance). The second report comes from the panel dealing with decision making and problem solving, presenting several theories and research opportunities in those areas. The third panel's report deals with protein structure and biological function, citing recent advances in knowledge in those areas, including technological advances, and recommendations for future research. The last report in this document has to do with the prevention and treatment of viral diseases. Recent advances in molecular virology are discussed, along with specific strategies for preventing viral diseases. (TW)