Pretreatment and saccharification processes are usually the first steps in the production of cellulosic ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass. The objective is to remove the tightly wrapped lignin molecules from the cellulose fibers and to convert the cellulose and other polymeric carbohydrate molecules into simple sugars. The product stream from these initial processes is called the "hydrolyzate". The hydrolyzate (which contains the simple sugars) is next inoculated with yeasts or bacteria for the ethanol production step by fermentation. When chemical methods (like acid treatment) are used in combination with heat for the pretreatment and saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass, other compounds are also released in the hydrolyzate. These compounds are said to be potentially toxic/inhibitory to the ethanol-fermenting microorganism. Thus, the proper selection of the alcohol-fermenting organism is an important consideration for cellulose-ethanol production. The bacterium, E. coli, is reported to have mechanisms which can enable it to tolerate the adverse effects of potentially toxic compounds in the hydrolyzate. Scientists from the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering reviewed the toxicity and tolerance of E.coli to pretreated hydrolyzates, and suggested strategies to improve the microorganism for higher yields of ethanol during fermentation. The review appears in the open access journal, Biotechnology for Biofuels (URL above)..