CHICAGO – Chicago’s renowned Field Museum, a major center of global scientific research, has announced plans to cut staff, overhaul operations and limit the scope of its research because of a high debt load and the recession.

The natural history museum might also change hours of operation and raise admission prices for special exhibits at one of the city’s best-known cultural attractions, museum officials said Tuesday.

The Field Museum is known for its research into plants and animals and impressive collections, including Sue, the world’s largest and best-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex.