  We use a new interdisciplinary approach to study the UV surface habitability
of Proxima $b$ under quiescent and flaring stellar conditions. We assumed
planetary atmospheric compositions based on CO$_2$ and N$_2$ and surface
pressures from 100 to 5000 mbar. Our results show that the combination of these
atmospheric compositions and pressures provide enough shielding from the most
damaging UV wavelengths, expanding the "UV-protective" planetary atmospheric
compositions beyond ozone. Additionally, we show that the UV radiation reaching
the surface of Proxima $b$ during quiescent conditions would be negligible from
the biological point of view, even without an atmosphere. Given that high UV
fluxes could challenge the existence of life, then, we experimentally tested
the effect that flares would have on microorganisms in a "worst-case scenario"
(no UV-shielding). Our results show the impact that a typical flare and a
superflare would have on life: when microorganisms receive very high fluences
of UVC, such as those expected to reach the surface of Proxima $b$ after a
typical flare or a superflare, a fraction of the population is able to survive.
Our study suggests that life could cope with highly UV irradiated environments
in exoplanets under conditions that cannot be found on Earth.
