The present invention is related to the field of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing platforms. In particular, the present invention has identified Type II-C Cas9 anti-CRISPR (Acr) inhibitors that control Cas9 gene editing activity. Co-administration of such Acr inhibitors may provide an advantageous adjunct in permitting safe and practical biological therapeutics through spatial or temporal control of Cas9 activity； controlling Cas9-based gene drives in wild populations to reduce the ecological consequences of such forced inheritance schemes； and contributing to general research into various biotechnological, agricultural, and medical applications of gene editing technologies.
